Which factor has the greatest impact on ground transportation incidents?

Weather conditions play a significant role in ground transportation incidents due to their ability to directly impact driving conditions and vehicle handling. Rain, snow, ice, fog, and high winds can decrease visibility and road traction, increasing the likelihood of accidents. For instance, wet or icy roads can lead to longer stopping distances and greater chances of skidding or losing control, which are critical factors in the occurrence and severity of collisions.

While vehicle maintenance, traffic laws, and driver experience are important considerations in ground transportation safety, weather conditions can create immediate, unavoidable challenges that affect all drivers equally, regardless of their training or the state of their vehicle. Severe weather events can lead to sudden hazards that even the most skilled drivers may struggle to navigate safely, thus underscoring the significant impact weather conditions have on transportation incidents.