NCJ Number
126718
Date Published
1990
Length
135 pages
Annotation
Senior police officials and politicians discuss ways of increasing traffic safety in Germany and united Europe.
Abstract
In 1989, the number of German traffic deaths dropped to 7,995 from its peak of 19,193 in 1970. Although most other European countries show a similar decrease in traffic fatalities, politicians and law enforcement must strive even harder to improve on the safety of European highways. Top priorities include a clarification of safety goals with a corresponding allocation of manpower and funds, enhanced accident research such as the introduction of technology that records the last minutes before an accident, the promotion of defensive driving, and strict penalties for traffic offenders. Ways of preventing and detecting drunk driving, a factor in 9.8 percent of all traffic injuries and deaths, have become an especially important task of policy makers. In 1990, German politicians agreed to examine new ways of legally conducting routine alcohol tests, even without suspicion of alcohol involvement. At the October 1989 international symposium "Traffic 2000," the European countries exchanged their goals and experiences on traffic safety. Although they could not establish a common European traffic analysis or plan of action, the meeting highlighted valuable insights in the prevention of drunk driving, road blocks, and speeding such as the possibility of introducing common speed limits on major European highways.