In 1992 a project was intiated to reduce the number of accidents on a road, outside built-up areas with an 80 km/h speed limit in Groningen. In the first year of the project, the aims was to reduce the average speed. The measures to influence speeding behaviour consisted of enforcement and public information. The measures were evaluated using a postal questionnaire and by registration of the driving speed of road users by means of loop detection. Data on driving speed was collected near personal warning signs ("You are driving too fast") and a permanent radar control-point. The application of these devises resulted in a reduction of the number of drivers who exceeded the speed limt and in a decline of the average speed. The average speed appeared to decline even more during periods of intensified police surveillance. Moreover, data from the questionnaires indicated a reduction of drivers exceeding 85 km per hour. From the questionnaires it appeared that the road in question was considered to be safer then before the project started. The respondents thought that failing in keeping distance, slow traffic like tractors and overtaking were the main threats to traffic safety. In general, the measures to reduce speed were evaluated positively. This applied to the information campaign as well as the police surveillance. The respondents displayed a great concern with the project "Friesestraatweg Safe". In particular the drivers who did not exceed the speed limit showed a change in their attitude in the desired direction. The speeders appeared difficult to influence. It is important to pay more attention to this group in future measures.
Samenvatting