CORTESY IN TRAFFIC – HOW DO WE ACHIEVE IT?

Matti Järvinen Liikenneturva Finland

What irritates you in traffic ?

In Finland the drivers get annoyed because of- tail –gating- dangerous overtakings - reckless driving

and in traffic they are afraid of- drunkdrivers- big animals like elks- speeders

Ei osaa sanoaPäivittäinNoin kerran viikossa

Noin kerran kuukaudessa

1-3 kertaa vuodessa

En yhtään/juuri yhtään kertaa

vuodessa

Perc

ent

40

30

20

10

0 1%

14%

29%31%

17%

8%

Kuinka usein Te kiitätte toista autoilijaa, jalankulkijaa tai pyöräilijää?

How often do you thank a fellowdriver, pedestrian or cyclist in traffic ?

Never 1-3 times once once daily cann´t a year a month a week tell

• Majority of drivers (95%) tell that they act positively in traffic at least occasionally.

• At least once a week 75 % of cardrivers gives way for the pedestrians, 63 % make it easier for other drivers to change line, 43 % thank their fellow drivers and 36 % give upp their rights in traffic situations.

• One interprets his own behavior more positive than the behavior of others.

• Negative acts in traffid are seen more ”visible” than the positive ones. They also seem to spread out rapidly.

Courtesy in traffic

How can we improve courtesy in traffic ?

If we can increase the interaction between the road users

• the predictability in traffic flow will improve

• the trust and respect among the road users will grow

Social skills – the key to courtesy in traffic ?

Pro-social behavior• compliance with traffic rules• consideration for other road users

Skills to be predictable• to predict the behavior of others• to make oneself predictable for the others

Skills to cope with emotions• the ability to express ones own feelings • self control

…. Personality ….. Emphaty …..Attitudes in life in general

Can we improve courtesy in traffic ?

• From driving skill to driving style – a new way of thinking

• Education? - facts or feelings ?

• Awareness campaigns ?

• Enforcement ?

• Combined measures ! Information !

• From skill to will !

Combination of enforcement and information

Increase awareness about grounds of speed limits and

traffic rules as well asrisks and consequences of

speeding.

Correct people’s false assumptions about the significance of speed.

Make people follow also other traffic rules.

Augmenter la connaissance sur

Les bases des limitations de vitesse et le code de la route

Les risques et les effets de l’excès de vitesse

Redresser les fausses idées reçues des gens sur l’importance de la vitesse

Inciter les gens à respecter les limitations de vitesse et à diminuer le nombre des accidents.

Campaign objectives Les objectifs