Victoria Police commenced using laser speed detection devices, supplied by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), in December 1996 to complement existing speed enforcement programs in metropolitan Melbourne. The TAC commissioned MUARC (Monash University Accident Research Centre) to evaluate the effectiveness of the laser enforcement program in reducing crashes for 1997. Analysis involved examining the frequency of crashes both before and after the laser program was implemented. Data on control crashes (no laser enforcement) were obtained for the years 1992 through 1996, and treatment crashes data (where lasers were used) were obtained for 1997. Analyses found that low and medium levels of enforcement were associated with significant reductions in casualty crashes (9.3 percent and 11 percent respectively). The crash reduction effect was greater on arterial roads than on freeways or local roads. The continued use of laser devices, particularly on arterial roads and at low-medium enforcement levels, was thus supported. These results may be applied to allow optimal use of resources and to achieve best practice in laser speed enforcement. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E202275.
Samenvatting