Excessive speed, failing to keep an appropriate distance behind the car in front, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fatigue, inexperience, conscious violations of road regulations or ignorance of warning and safety instructions in the vehicle: the range of human risk factors on the road is a multifaceted one. Modern vehicle technology can help to offset poor driving behaviour, though, seen globally, driver assistant systems can also overtax the driver, confuse him or give him a false sense of security. People and technology therefore face a conflict of interests on the road and presents many challenges. These conflicting interests are looked at more closely in the DEKRA Road Safety Report 2012 "People and Technology" and views them from the aspects of accident research, traffic psychology and inspection technology. The report uses statistics and the evaluation of data gathered from Germany and other selected European countries to demonstrate where the largest potential for optimisation lies. (Author/publisher)
Abstract