What type of incidents are classified as "secondary incidents"?

Secondary incidents are defined as crashes or accidents that occur as a direct result of the disruptions caused by an initial incident. When a primary incident, such as a vehicle crash or breakdown, occurs, it can lead to traffic congestion and unexpected circumstances that may cause additional accidents. For example, drivers attempting to navigate around the original incident or those who are distracted by the scene may inadvertently collide with another vehicle, thus creating a secondary incident.

This classification highlights the cascading effects that initial incidents can have on traffic flow and safety. Recognizing and understanding secondary incidents is crucial for traffic incident management, as it emphasizes the importance of prompt response and clearance of the initial incident to prevent further complications and ensure road safety.

The other options describe situations that do not directly arise from an initial incident's disruptions. Inclement weather and simple mechanical failures are independent factors that can certainly cause accidents, but they are not classified as secondary incidents since they do not necessarily relate to the effects of a prior event. Accidents during road maintenance present a different scenario entirely; while they may be hazardous, they are also not directly tied to an initial incident in the same manner as secondary incidents.