Report on head-on collision accident in Gjedrem, Rogaland 24 Novembr 2005
Road traffic report 2007/03
On the morning of Thursday 24th November 2005 a Volvo wheel loader type 120 E was transferring between two jobs on highway E 39. The speed limit was 90 km/h and the wheel loader held the maximum constructive speed of about 40 km/h. The traffic behind got past as the driver took the wheel loader into the side several times. The machine was manoeuvred by the steering wheel. After about 10 kilometres the driver unintentionally touched a small joy-stick which is intended for controlling the machine while driving at construction sites. The driver used the steering wheel in attempt to steer back, but the wheel loader lost control, and it swung abruptly towards left and collided with an oncoming passenger car. The car was totally crushed in the collision, and three persons, two adults and a child, were fatally injured. In addition, one child was seriously injured, while a third child received minor physical injuries.
The investigation of the wheel loader has revealed that it could be steered by to separate control systems simultaneously. The steering wheel is always in function, while the CDC (Comfort Drive Control), which the driver manoeuvres with a small joy-stick, must be activated and deactivated by the driver. The control stick was exposed and unprotected such that it easily could be activated unintentionally. The investigation exposed that the driver was unaware that the CDC was activated at the time of the accident. The blocking device that hindered driving at the highest speed with the CDC activated had been removed after been installed on previous versions of the machines.The driver had experience from older wheel loaders with similar blocking device, and had not received instructions and training regarding this modification. It is the opinion of the AIBN that the indications in the machine were insufficient in warning the driver of the activated CDC at the time of the accident.
The AIBN considers that the producer of the wheel loader had not sufficiently assessed the safety consequences in removing the blocking device. The investigation has shown that the routines for communicating design changes that affect safety both with the producer, supplier and contractor are insufficient. The regulations concerning safety training, and accompanying teaching schemes for drivers of wheel loaders, do not include specific training in the use of CDC. In addition, the AIBN considers that the public approval of construction machines and the procedures for annual safety control of wheel loaders are inadequate.
Driving with some motor tools, such as this wheel loader, is with some restrictions also permitted driven on public roads, without registration. It is the opinion of the AIBN that there are shortcomings regarding the follow-up and inspection with these vehicles used on roads, and that safety is not sufficiently ensured. The wheel loader’s width, weight and collision characteristics make the machine unsuitable for driving on public roads together with common traffic. For this reason it is recommended to introduce further limitations for driving these machines on public roads.
The AIBN gave in December 2005 one immediate safety recommendation to the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority which resulted in Volvo reconstructing all wheel loaders with this particular CDC solution. As a result of this investigation, the AIBN has made four additional safety recommendations.
Facts
| Location | Gjedrem in Bjerkreim, Rogaland |
| Occurrence date | 24.11.2005 |
| Accident type | Head-on collision |
| Road class | European road |
| County | Rogaland |
| Police Disctrict | Rogaland |
| Vehicle type | Wheel loader |
| Type of Transportation | Transfer work/assignment |