ABSTRACT
The application of low-cost road and traffic engineering measures (LCEM) is a cost-effective method for reducing accidents and their consequences. Empirical evidence shows that enforcement contributes to improvements on driving behaviour and road safety; however, results from reducing enforcement are seldom presented.
In this paper a presentation is made of the impact LCEM and changes in enforcement intensity had on selected driving behaviour variables and safety levels on a 170 km single carriageway trunk road. LCEM were implemented on the road, followed a year later by the commitment of exceptionally intense and severe law enforcement and, after two years, its relaxation. The impacts of these safety interventions were evaluated through observational before-after studies. The expected number of injury accidents was reduced by 41% (less 75% fatalities), when considering the combined effect of LCEM and enforcement; suppression of strict enforcement was related to a 20% increase in the number of fatalities.
