THE EFFECTS OF FUEL CONSERVATION MEASURES ON TRAFFIC LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COLLISIONS IN PRETORIA

The recently introduced fuel-conservation measures in the form of lower speed limits have undoubtedly had an enormous impact on all facets of road traffic in South Africa. Initially intended solely to cut down on the use of oil and petroleum products, it appears that these measures have been the major contributing factor responsible for the reduction in traffic collisions recorded, particularly those mishaps which involve serious injury and death. The purpose of this paper is mainly to present the available data and to venture a few personal opinions, whereafter it will be left to the applicable panel to attempt to formulate any possible conclusions. Basic collision totals for Pretoria for the period immediately before and after the introduction of these measures are examined, and these are then compared to the figures for the present situation. A close look is taken at some of the types of collisions to determine whether there has been any significant reduction in collisions of one or two specific types only, with a possible increase in others, or whether there has been an overall reduction in collisions of all types and degrees. Figures relating to public transport usage in pretoria, are presented, in order to ascertain whether there has been any significant change. The influence of the new measures on traffic law enforcement activities has undoubtedly been the placing of extra emphasis on speed checking. The paper will deal with the result of stricter speed limit enforcement measures and heavier penalties, and simultaneously look at the possible influence on some other driving offences such as traffic light and stop sign disobedience, etc. Finally the findings of a public opinion and attitude survey, dealing with a number of related issues including the lower speed limit(s) and reduced collision rate, are included. (a) this paper was presented at the 1974 Symposium on "the Impact of Fuel Saving Laws on Road Safety," held in Pretoria, South Africa. The covering abstract for the symposium is IRRD abstract no. 213021. /TRRL/

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00357391
• Corporate Authors:

  National Road Safety Council

  Private Bag, X147
  Pretoria 0001,   South Africa 
• Authors:
  • Bolhuis, H
• Publication Date: 1974-6-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 53-84
• Serial:
  • ROBOT
  • Issue Number: 74
  • Publisher: SNELCO-PRO PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANTS
  • ISSN: 0035-7391

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash injury research; Crash types; Crashes; Energy; Fuel consumption; Prevention; Public opinion; Public transit; Research; Safety; Speed; Speed limits; Traffic law enforcement; Traffic regulations; Traffic violators
• Uncontrolled Terms: Enforcement
• Geographic Terms: Africa; South Africa
• ITRD Terms: 1643: Accident; 8001: Africa; 1057: Air transport network; 3882: Automatic; 1874: Braking; 6925: Circuit (electr); 9011: Design (overall design); 6965: Electronics; 1534: Enforcement (law); 232: Fuel consumption; 6738: Radar; 1665: Safety; 6120: Sensor; 8103: South Africa; 5408: Speed; 624: Speed limit; 1544: Traffic regulations
• Subject Areas: Energy; Highways; Law; Public Transportation; Research; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; Society; I82: Accidents and Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00125030
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 18 1981 12:00AM