Road Traffic
The activity of the AIBN was extended to include investigation of accidents and incidents on the roads from September 1. 2005. The Road Traffic Act mandates investigations into traffic accidents according to the same principles and procedures as investigations within the other transport modes.
The AIBN carries out independent investigations and clarifies causes and courses of events in road traffic accidents. The investigations of the AIBN have as their goal the provision of safety recommendations intended to improve road traffic safety, without apportioning blame and liability.
Delimitation of the types of accidents or incidents for investigation is governed by a separate regulation concerning official investigation and notification of road traffic accidents. The AIBN primarily concerns itself with serious accidents and incidents involving commercial road traffic.
Special focus is directed on serious accidents involving heavy goods vehicles and buses, as well as serious accidents linked to the transport of dangerous goods and tunnels. One main goal is to investigate accidents that have major damage potential and/or which will potentially yield useful knowledge concerning traffic safety.
The AIBN autonomously decides whether to investigate a road traffic accident, and reports must be drawn up according to the regulations. Any safety recommendations are sent to the Ministry of Transport for follow-up and closing.