In this report the Dutch data from the second Social Attitudes to Road Traffic Risk in Europe (SARTRE) study conducted in 1996, are described. The opinions of Dutch motorists concerning various subjects appear to have changed little if at all. Both in 1991 (the first SARTRE study) and in 1996 there was ample majority support for many of the road safety measures. The two greatest shifts in opinion are as follows: (i) to an increasing extent, behaviour factors are thought to play a dominant role in road accidents; and (ii) acceptance of the introduction of a third brake light in Europe has increased greatly in 1996 and is receiving the support of a generous majority. Compared with the `average' European motorist, Dutch motorists in 1996 show among other things: (1) less concern about air pollution, road accidents, and unemployment; (2) less perceived risk regarding walking, cycling, and motorcycling; (3) less perceived risk for vehicle or road defects as accident causes; (4) greater perceived risk for the daily drinking of excess alcohol; (5) greater disapproval of the freedom to drive while intoxicated; and (6) a greater frequency in the pattern of alcohol consumption, while at the same time, a lesser frequency in the pattern of driving a car following alcohol consumption.
Samenvatting