Different measures to reduce injuries and costs within the transport organisation of the Swedish Telecom were tested. The measures were as follows: (1) Driver training; (2) Influence on behaviour by group discussion; (3) No-claim bonus, and (4) Campaign efforts. The organisation and realisation of the experiment were such that possible results of the measures could be evaluated. The four groups were chosen from all management sections (profit centres) of the whole transport organisations of the Swedish Telecom by matching relevant background data. The management sections represent a sufficiently large and relatively homogeneous group. The background data used in sampling consisted of the number of drivers, in sampling consisted of the number of drivers, accident risk during the years prior to the experiment and proportion type of built-up area. Using a power analysis in which an accident reduction of 30 per cent was calculated, the number of management sections was calculated to be 30. The total number of drivers in the experiment was thus 3,600, that is approximately 900 drivers in each experimental group. The measures were then carried out in parallel but totally independent of each other. When the measures had been effected, the accident risk and costs were evaluated during three consecutive periods of 6 months each. The evaluation showed that the experimental groups, group discussions and driver training, had lowered their accident risk significantly compared to a control group. Concerning compensation costs, these had been lowered for all groups. The reduction was, however, most significant for the discussion group, while the control group showed unchanged compensation costs. The measures carried out demanded resources of varying size and costs have thus differed. A calculation of the relationship between cost of the measures and the profits obtained show that group discussion is the most cost-effective. (A).
Abstract