What can we learn
from this study?

The SARTRE 3 survey has clearly identified examples of good and bad practice. It is necessary for safety practitioners, and perhaps individual drivers, in each country to look at the results of the surveys and review how their country is performing compared to the benchmark provided by other countries taking part in the study.
• The SARTRE 3 survey revealed that a large proportion of European drivers were concerned about road safety. In addition, they recognise that driver behaviour is a significant risk factor in accidents. In general, they are in favour of enforcement and even of more severe penalties, especially for drinking and driving.
• It seems that an overall strengthening of traffic regulations will be necessary to improve safety, especially if the EU fatality reduction target is to be achieved.
However, this will need to be accompanied by mass media education and publicity campaigns to improve

public awareness and support for measures that may place restrictions on their behaviour. In particular, it will be necessary to address the issues of speeding, drink-driving and the wearing of seat belts. More enforcement will be required, although this will be more effective if it is visible rather hidden.
Attention needs to be given to what the public sees as being fair, since without public support interventions will fail. While drivers are prepared to accept restrictions to promote road safety, this support will disappear if the measures are seen as being ways of raising revenue rather than preventing accidents. It will be important, therefore, that extensive information is given to public as to the benefits of the measures.
• It seems remarkable that many countries still have such low seat belt wearing rates, given the time that they have been around, how effective they have been shown to be in reducing the severity of accidents, and people's willingness to wear them while flying. New ways should be found to convince users to increase their seat belt use with campaigns focusing on the countries where drivers exhibit more risky behaviours, such as Italy, Slovakia, and Cyprus.• In all countries, drivers, and other road users, most at risk should be targeted to reduce the types of behaviour presenting the most problems. In many cases, this will mean targeting young men, those with a high income and those driving long distances each year.

pluie
julocha
StGildas.tif
leftgreen
rightgreen
31
back index forward