Operation Lifesaver (OL) is a high enforcement strategy targeting speeding, drink-driving and seat-belt wearing, which was initiated in the Louth-Meath Garda Divisional Area on July 14th, 1997. The principal aim of Project OLA (Operation Lifesaver Assessment) was to provide an evaluation of the immediate effects of Operation Lifesaver on compliance with targeted behaviours and on accident frequency and severity. The effects of OL in the Louth-Meath (Treatment) area were contrasted with a matched Control area in which there was no high enforcement strategy, namely the Carlow-Kildare Garda Divisional Area. International research shows that for increased enforcement to affect rates of compliance and accidents, there needs to be an increase in road-user perception of the likelihood of being caught if offending. Thus the enforcement effect follows a sequence from increased surveillance and enforcement to increased perceptions of this through to an increase in compliance and a reduction in accidents. (A)
Samenvatting