Vito, the 'Flemish institute for technological research' is participating in a consortium on traffic safety, called 'Steunpunt Verkeersveiligheid (Policy research centre on traffic safety)'. Here research on traffic safety is done by several partners (Limburgs Universitair Centrum, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Provinciale Hogeschool Limburg en Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch onderzoek). In the consortium, several aspects of traffic safety are covered by each of the partners: traffic safety numbers; infrastructure; vehicle technology (engineering); behaviour (education), and enforcement and policy. The results of this research will be used to advice policymakers on their actions for improving traffic safety. Vito is working on vehicle technology. This paper presents the findings up until now on the effects of some vehicle systems on traffic safety. Vehicle technology will do much to help on improving traffic safety. The seat belt is very effective in reducing the number and severity of traffic victims. The effect is lower than could be, due to the low wearing rate in a number of countries. This could be improved by using the seat belt reminder. Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA, i.e speed limiters, cruise control) needs further research and a number of technical problems have to be solved. Here the authorities as well as the automotive industry have to set up actions, when ISA is said to be implemented. The effect on traffic safety however may not be overestimated. Traffic safety policy should be based upon reliable objective data to be cost effective. From the research that was done it was concluded that there exists a lack of data on accidents and vehicle technology. It is a task for the authorities to take initiatives to improve traffic safety numbers. These numbers should also take vehicle technology into account. These data should be gathered as soon as possible, so that it will be possible within a few years to quantify the effects of safety measures. In this way one can learn from the past to improve actions for the future. One should not have too high expectations on technology alone. Traffic safety is a complex combination of several aspects. Measures to improve traffic safety should be seen with all these in mind. For the covering abstract see ITRD E136183.
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