Every Accident is One Too Many Every Accident is One ... - UNECE

New knowledge, research, and
development
Chapter 5
One objective of the Road Safety Commission is to
increase and intensify research efforts during the target
period. In particular, the Road Safety Commission wishes to
point to three areas where more knowledge is needed:
1. Causes of accidents and risk perception; road user
behaviour and the effect of measures.
2. Models to carry out total analyses of the correlation
between road safety and the environment, urban
development, public health, and other themes where
interplay is significant.
3. Development of tools for prioritisation and evaluation.
Such tools are to be used to identify the most effective
measures, to evaluate accident statistic trends on a
regular basis, and to evaluate measures and initiatives
implemented.
More research is required within the following areas:
IT solutions
We can expect rapid developments within car equipment
for navigation, warning systems, and general information
systems. It is important to examine the road safety aspects
of such equipment, as some of it may distract drivers’
attention from the actual traffic around them.
Cyclist safety
There is still a need for more detailed analyses of
accidents involving cyclists, as well as for practical trial
projects on new road-engineering solutions for cyclists.
These initiatives must be supplemented by studies of
behaviour and risk perception and of the impact of new
transport habits in society, especially pertaining to children
and young people.
Impact of changes in road user behaviour
More attention should be focused on the interplay
between transport system design, legislation, training/
education, sanctions and risk of detection, and information/campaign
activities.
Road users under the influence of drugs
We still lack sufficient knowledge on the extent to which
Danish road users drive while under the influence of drugs
(narcotics or pharmaceutical products which may cause
hazardous behaviour in drivers). Similarly, our knowledge
on the extent of accidents involving drugs of any kind is
also very limited. Finally, we lack knowledge on the extent
to which various degrees of influence or withdrawal
symptoms affect driving skills and reaction times.
Evaluation of campaign impacts
We need more systematic reviews of campaign methods
and tools as well as of the impact of campaigns completed,
both in the short and long terms. Moreover, trial projects
should be implemented to try out more extensive and
target specific use of electronic media (including television
and the Internet) to communicate messages with an
especial focus on road user behaviour.
Elderly road users and future traffic
Elderly people in the transport systems of the future will
constitute an important focus area with many subelements.
The percentage of elderly people among the
Danish population will increase, as will the proportion of
transport activity accounted for by elderly people. What
consequences will these changes in the population profile
have for road safety, and how can we do more to prevent
road accidents involving elderly people We also lack
knowledge of elderly peoples’ perception of risk in traffic.
Road users and risky behaviour
The correlation between road users who are involved in
road accidents and previous traffic offences should be
examined during the target period.
Accidents with oncoming traffic on primary roads
The Road Safety Commission will propose large-scale trial
projects involving new speed limits, restricted overtaking,
new road design, new signposting, etc.; particularly on
older primary roads.
Clear lines of view at road junctions
There is a need for elucidating the significance of clear
lines of view at road junctions for road user behaviour and
road safety.
Speed as an accident factor
Speed in very important to road safety - both as regards
the number of accidents and the consequences of such
accidents.
However, our knowledge of speed factors and new ways of
controlling speeds is insufficient. Consequently, these
areas should be included in research efforts within road
safety.
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