Unraveling the complex relationship between weather conditions and traffic safety

Understanding the impact of different weather conditions on crash frequency and crash severance is essential for developing effective strategies and interventions to mitigate road crashes. Extensive research has been conducted worldwide over the past few decades to investigate the relationship between weather conditions and traffic crashes. By synthesizing this collective body of work using the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), this paper seeks to provide a valuable resource for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers in their quest for evidence-based strategies to enhance traffic safety and minimize the adverse effects of weather conditions on road users. This systematic literature review establishes eligibility criteria for selecting relevant studies that span diverse geographical regions, climates, and methodologies. The objective is to present a comprehensive analysis of the intricate relationship between weather conditions and traffic safety, shedding light on the direct influence of weather phenomena like rain, snow, fog, winter, and extreme temperatures, as well as the underlying mechanisms and contributory factors. This study contributes to the advancement of transportation safety research, leveraging a credible foundation for evidence-based decision-making and guiding strategic development to safeguard road users and promote traffic safety amidst diverse weather challenges.