Citation

Krol G. IATSS Res. 1987; 11(1): 18-28.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1987, International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The high accident figures in the Federal Republic of Germany toward the end of the 60s and the beginning of the 70s led to the Organization of concerted safety measures, to intensify the research efforts, and a comprehensive safety programs. The decline in casualty rates until 1985 is interpreted as being the result of an improvement in the road safety situation and the justification of the efforts invested and course taken thus far. The increasing scarcity of funds led to a kind of risk management in the last 15 years: based on accident and behavioral studies-especially related to certain high-risk groups (i.e. children, juveniles, the elderly) and high-risk types of road users (pedestrians, cyclists, mofa riders, riders with previous traffic offenses) - there was an increasing emphasis on target group programs. Evaluation of research findings helped to optimize these programs in the past years. The new increase in casualty figures in 1986, and the challenges to be faced in Germany untill the year 2000 because of changes in the populations age composition, infrastructure, and changes brought about by technical advances, have given rise to further intensified efforts.