Legislation, Enforcement and Education for Traffic Safety: A Brief Review of the Current State of Knowledge

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Legislation, Enforcement and Education for Traffic Safety: A Brief Review of the Current State of Knowledge

Elvik, Rune

This paper briefly reviews the current state of knowledge with respect to the use of legislation, enforcement and education to promote traffic safety. Legislation can be a very strong policy instrument to promote traffic safety. Examples are given of major changes in road user behaviour and accidents associated with the introduction of new legislation. These examples also show that the effects of new laws may erode over time. To sustain the effects of legislation in the long term, effective enforcement is needed. Factors that influence the effects of enforcement are discussed and accident modification functions associated with enforcement are presented. Challenges in maintaining a high level of enforcement in the long run are discussed. Finally, the possibilities of motivating road users to adopt safer behaviour by means of education are discussed. It is concluded that some educational measures may improve safety, but that not all educational measures are likely to do so. Characteristics of the more effective educational measures are discussed.