PLANNING PERSPECTIVES ON TRAFFIC SAFETY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

Traffic safety in the UK is planned on the basis of a regular review of the different aspects in perspective with the total accident toll considering the potential effectiveness of available countermeasures and the need for further research. The paper summarises the trends and achievements of recent years in both research and practice. The potential for future benefits and the likely major issues are examined. A major factor affecting road safety in the UK was the placing of a statutory responsibility for road safety on local government in 1974. The requirement covers both engineering and educational activities. The main research effort is controlled by the transport and Road Research Laboratory of the Department of Transport, often working in close support with a number of other organisations. Since the mid 1960's the level of casualties has been contained although traffic flows have increased. Major safety activities included the introduction of speed limits, a legal limit of alcohol in the blood of drivers, the development of low cost engineering measures and the construction of motorways, improved vehicle design and the introduction of seat belt legislation. Potential savings over the next ten years have been estimated as one-sixth, if only existing measures are applied, or one-third if further developed measures are applied. Further understanding of the main factors contributing to accidents is required before these further measures can be defined. This paper was presented to the symposium '85 individaul responsibility, joint responsibility, safety consciousness in traffic, Cologne, October 1985. (TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)

  Wokingham, Berkshire  United Kingdom 
• Authors:
  • SABEY, B E
• Publication Date: 1989

Media Info

• Pagination: 17 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Education; Freeways; Highway design; Highways; Intoxication; Layout; Legislation; Local government agencies; Manual safety belts; Prevention; Safety; Speed limits; Traffic
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 1661: Accident prevention; 226: Cost benefit analysis; 2231: Drunkenness; 2284: Education; 2755: Highway; 2855: Highway design; 2885: Layout; 1556: Legislation; 192: Local authority; 2752: Motorway; 1665: Safety; 1476: Safety belt; 624: Speed limit; 755: Traffic; 8119: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00493304
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: May 31 1990 12:00AM