The role of traffic violations in police-reported bicycle crashes in Queensland

Media articles have promoted the view that cyclists are risktakers who disregard traffic regulations, but little is known about the contribution of cyclist risk-taking behaviours to crashes. This study examines the role of traffic violations in the 6774 police-reported bicycle crashes in Queensland between January 2000 and December 2008. Of the 6328 crashes involving bicycles and motor vehicles, cyclists were deemed to be at fault in 44.4% of the incidents. When motorists were determined to be at-fault, ‘failure to yield’ violations accounted for three of the four most reported contributing factors. In crashes where the cyclist was at fault, attention and inexperience were the most frequent contributing factors. There were 67 collisions between bicycles and pedestrians, with the cyclist at fault in 65.7%. During the data period, 302 single-bicycle crashes were reported. The most frequent contributing factors were avoidance actions to miss another road user and inattention or negligence.

A report of the status and potential implications of decriminalization of moving traffic violations. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Traffic harmony in China? Investigating driver perceptions of traffic law enforcement and social responsibility for harmonious road use.

Social harmony can manifest in many ways. In rapidly motorizing countries like China, a growing area of potential disharmony is road use. The increased ability to purchase a car for the first time and a subsequent increase in new drivers has seen several Chinese cities take unprecedented measures to manage congestion. There is a corresponding need to ensure effective traffic law enforcement in promoting a safe environment for all road users. This paper reports qualitative research conducted with Beijing car drivers to investigate perceptions of unsafe road use, penalties for traffic violations, and improvements for the current system. Overall, the findings suggest awareness among drivers of many of the key risk factors. A perceived lack of clarity in how penalties are determined was identified and drivers in-dicated a desire to know how revenue from traffic fines is used. Several suggestions for improving the current system included school/community education about road risks and traffic law. The rise of private car ownership in China may contribute to a more harmonious personal life, but at the same time, may contribute to a decrease in societal harmony. A major challenge for authorities in any country is to promote the idea of a collective responsibility for road safety (traffic harmony), especially to those who perceive that traffic rules do not apply to them. This is a potentially greater challenge for China as it strives to balance harmony on the road and harmony in the broader society.

Recommendations for driver licensing and traffic law enforcement in India aiming to improve road safety

During the last decade, developing countries such as India have been exhibiting rapid increase in human population and vehicles, and increase in road accidents. Inappropriate driving behaviour is considered one of the major causes of road accidents in India as compared to defective geometric design of pavement or mechanical defects in vehicles. It can result in conditions such as lack of lane discipline, disregard to traffic laws, frequent traffic violations, increase in crashes due to self-centred driving, etc. It also demotivates educated drivers from following good driving practices. Hence, improved driver behaviour can be an effective countermeasure to reduce the vulnerability of road users and inhibit crash risks. This article highlights improved driver behaviour through better driver education, driver training and licensing procedures along with good on-road enforcement; as an effective countermeasure to ensure road safety in India. Based on the review and analysis, the article also recommends certain measures pertaining to driver licensing and traffic law enforcement in India aimed at improving road safety.

Traffic offenders and community service sentencing: an overview. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Tri-level study: modification. Task 5: an examination of driver characteristics and collision producing errors of accident and traffic violation repeaters. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

State of Rhode Island Special Adjudication for Enforcement - volume III: analysis of the administrative adjudication of traffic offenses. Analytic study. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Driver and Pedestrian Programs, Washington, D.C.

Penalties for traffic offenses.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Traffic law sanctions. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Traffic law sanctions. Executive summary. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Traffic offense sentencing processes and highway safety. Volume I. Summary. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Traffic offense sentencing processes and highway safety. Volume II - technical report. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Traffic offense sentencing processes and highway safety. Volume III - appendices. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

Selective traffic enforcement program; planning guide. Revised.

Mode of access: Internet.

Analyzing the feasibility of the administrative adjudication of traffic offenses. Volume I: technical summary. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.