THE FUTURE OF TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT THROUGH THE ENHANCED PROMOTION OF ROAD SAFETY PRINCIPLES

In an era of electronic traffic law enforcement during long weekend holiday periods there continues to be an unacceptable number of occupants of motor vehicles killed or seriously injured in motor vehicle crashes. Traffic law enforcement appears to be having a limited effect in the reduction of motor vehicle trauma and the concerted media campaigns are only serving to inform those willing to listen and heed the messages contained therein of the consequences of reckless driving and high vehicle speeds. The use of electronic speed reduction countermeasures have been successful in addressing one of the main causes of road trauma, but driving whilst fatigued still requires concerted effort by all the stakeholders involved in road safety. A return to the vigorous promotion of road safety principles by police in the field is seen as one answer to a majority of road safety problems and as one of the panaceas of motor vehicle trauma as well. The aim of this paper is to draw attention to further research methods of road safety promotion aimed at stimulating traffic law violators who are not habitual offenders, into practicing much safer driving habits. The result of this would likely be a flow on to habitual traffic law violators through enhanced promotion of road safety principles by police in the field. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see IRRD abstract no. E202589.