This comparative study aims to contribute in understanding what is hidden behind the differences and similarities in road safety levels and their developments in three Central European countries, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovenia (Central countries). Similar history and economical and sociological background predestined them to face rather similar problems in the field of the road safety, however the outcomes often differ significantly among them which suggests some differences in their road safety policies. Analyzing the development of road safety since the year 1970, general improvements were observed in all the three Central countries thanks to improved general conditions in the field of road transport. The fall of the Iron curtain in the late 1980s, which was accompanied by a continuous and significant increase of traffic up to twice as large as in former EU15 countries, would normally be translated into a serious worsening of the road safety situation. Unfavourable factors, were, however readily partially balanced by infrastructural improvements, modal split changes and modernization of the motor vehicle fleet. Although the three countries tried to tackle the problem of assuring traffic safety in this time in a similar way, through infrastructure improvements, new young driver education and changes in Highway Codes, the results were quite different because of the differences in national road safety management and enforcement strategies. Thus the development of road safety in Central countries varied considerably. Due to the deficiencies in enforcement and other factors, there has been a serious worsening of road safety in the Czech Republic, which lasted until the second half of the 1990s, when the trend became neutral. In contrast, in Hungary and Slovenia, traffic safety was improving at this time, after negative development in the mid 1980s. (Author/publisher)
Abstract