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Summary
A wide range of accident remedial measures exist, both direct and indirect. The latter includes more general purpose policy instruments such as vehicle taxation, land use planning, road design and road furniture. These however, are covered by other KonSULT instruments and lead us to concentrate on direct measures which can be classified under the three following categories,
- Speed limitation;
- Speed enforcement; and,
- Road marking.
Speed limitation can be introduced by legal and/or physical measures. Most countries have general and signposted speed limits stating the highest permitted driving speed on a road. It can also be achieved through traffic
calming.
Enforcement of speed limits uses a combination of stationary and mobile methods. The former tend to take the form of ‘speed cameras’ and allow violations of traffic regulations to be detected and registered without law enforcement officers being physically present at the time and place where the traffic violation takes place. The latter rely on police patrols to identify offenders.
Road markings are intended to give drivers reference points with regard to the proximity of their vehicle to other vehicles and the road. Delineator posts and distance markings on motorways, and raised pavement markers can all be used to direct traffic by indicating the path of the carriageway and warn road users about specific hazardous conditions related to the road alignment etc.
The implementation of accident remedial measures can vary from country to country and by situation. Decisions tend to hinge on: 1) What measures to implement - sometimes only single measures may be implemented, whilst at other times a combination of measures will be used; and 2) Where to implement them – in a very specific ‘accident black spot’ or across a widespread area (zone approach).
Studies have shown that the introduction of speed limitation and enforcement measures have the greatest potential for improving road safety. They are also the most cost-effective measures. The impact of these measures upon traffic demand and supply has not been specifically analysed. There is a feeling however that the response can be mixed and very much dependent upon existing traffic conditions. Other measures which can provide smaller but important benefits are ITS-systems, driver training and public education and information campaigns.
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