Although strict speed limits have had beneficial induced effects on road safety, it is recognised that they need to be complemented by other measures, sometimes in combination with speed limits. This report presents a review by the Road Safety Group of the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) of recent safety developments in European Union (EU) Member Countries. It also studied European-wide approaches to and future action on traffic calming, from various technical, social, and regulatory viewpoints. The report's sections discuss: (1) the present situation of speed in relation to road accidents; (2) infrastructure, road signs, and traffic management; (3) vehicle design and use, equipment modifying or limiting vehicle performance, equipment allowing drivers to evade speed checks, on-board monitoring equipment, and possible new vehicle developments; (4) education and training of drivers and other road users, and campaigns to promote calmer driving; (5) regulations concerning speed limits; and (6) enforcement of safety regulations and penalties for breaking them. Various recommendations are made about general speed limits and their harmonisation, road networks, driver information, on-board equipment, driver training, communication of road safety information, and enforcement and penalties.
Samenvatting