In Europe, from 1972 to 1985, the number of people killed was reduced by 37% whilst the number of vehicles increased by 56%. But, since 1985, progress has stagnated. The PSA "PSA For a Safer Road" research plan aims at reducing by half, between now and the year 2000, the number of road accident victims. For this purpose, a global, rigorous, innovative, voluntary and concerted approach, will be used, bringing together the driver, the highway infrastructure and the vehicle. This approach comprises 4 sectors entitled: (1) Knowledge to better understand the causes and consequences of accidents, and the driver's physiological and psychological behaviour; (2) Prevention to eliminate as far as possible risk situations by having a safe infrastructure and properly trained drivers, and by adopting a convivial driving style with safe, comfortable vehicles in good condition; (3) Avoidance to ensure that in a risk situation the accident does not occur. This avoidance is based on both driver assistance programmes, and dialogue between the vehicles and the infrastructre; and (4) protection to ensure maximum limitation, in the event of an accident, of consequences to the people involved by: a) better protecting vehicle occupants; and b) reducing the aggressive nature of the road environment and that of vehicles towards pedestrians and bicycle users. (A)
Abstract