This preliminary study (See also IRRD 818161 and 833001) was carried out in the form of an accident study. Special attention was given to the determination and analysis of the relations between: (1) accidents; (2) lighting; and (3) roads and traffic. This study also investigated the relationship between the level of lighting and criminality. The study used data from the following Dutch municipalities: Amsterdam (West), Leeuwarden, Utrecht, Oss and Barendrecht. Five important conclusions of this study are: (i) It was not possible to make statistically significant statements regarding the different road categories; (ii) On residential streets, a higher level of lighting corresponds with a lower number of accidents at night; (iii) At non-residential street junctions, a higher level of lighting corresponds with a higher number of accidents at night; (iv) Public lighting is an effective measure to prevent criminality, at least regarding theft from (parked) cars; and (v) public lighting seems to be an effective measure to prevent accidents, particularly on road links.
Abstract