This article briefly reviews the methods used in the United Kingdom to reduce road casualties. The key measures included in the Road Traffic Act 1991 are summarised, and examples are provided of the tougher legislation and penalties now extant. New methods for enforcing speed limits, such as the use of automatic speed cameras are also listed. The use of publicity and education campaigns is illustrated by reference to the drink driver and child safety campaigns. Rehabilitation courses for drink drive offenders are another new measure to improve driver attitudes. Road Safety Audits have been successfully introduced for all road improvement schemes on the trunk network since 1st April 1991. Safety schemes designed and implemented by local authorities are also proving successful, and these include road engineering methods to improve traffic calming.
Samenvatting