THE HAMILTON TRAFFIC "BLITZ"

THIS PAPER DESCRIBES THE METHODS USED AND THE RESULTS ACHIEVED IN A MONTH LONG INTENSIFIED TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLICITY PROGRAM CONDUCTED IN A NEW ZEALAND PROVINCIAL CITY. DURING THE "BLITZ" MONTH ANTI-ACCIDENT PATROLS WERE EFFECTIVELY TREBLED AND THE CAMPAIGN RECEIVED EXTENSIVE NEWS COVERAGE BOTH LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY. INJURY ACCIDENTS IN THE PERIOD WERE 33.33 PERCENT FEWER THAN COULD HAVE BEEN EXPECTED ON THE BASIS OF PAST TRENDS AND THERE WAS ALOS A SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTION IN ACCIDENT SEVERITY. THERE IS EVIDENCE OF A CCONTINUED REDUCTION IN SEPTEMBER. THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE IMPROVEMENT IN DRIVER BEHAVIOR DURING THE "BLITZ" BUT A REVERSION TO PREVIOUS HABITS SOON AFTER. PUBLIC OPINION SURVEYS ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE "BLITZ" AND ROAD SAFETY GENERALLY WERE CONDUCTED BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE CAMPAIGN. SOME IMPORTANT AREAS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH WERE IDENTIFIED. /AUTHOR/

• Corporate Authors:

  Ministry of Transport, New Zealand

  38-42 Waring Taylor Street, P.O. Box 3175
  Wellington,   New Zealand 
• Authors:
  • Toomath, J B
• Publication Date: 1974-2

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 19 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Behavior; Crash severity; Drivers; Highway safety; Prevention; Public opinion; Safety; Traffic law enforcement
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00222422
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 31 1974 12:00AM