MVRUS - Engineering, Education and Enforcement

The three main approaches to reducing road accidents are commonly referred to as the three E's. These are:

The Department for Regional Development looks after this area. Good traffic engineering will research needs and trends and will work within the available resources to meet these needs and trends. Many variables have to be taken into account during research e.g. population movement, industrial relocation, town growth. Other factors considered relate to roads or motorways e.g. curves and gradients, drainage, safety fencing, parking provision, footpath requirements. One concern in this area is that as planners make roads safer, drivers tend to absorb this and drive faster. Research shows that for every 30 cms increase in road width, drivers will increase speed by 5 kph.

Car design has two main elements - primary safety and secondary safety. Primary safety relates to those features of the car which help it to perform in a safe manner under normal conditions. Secondary safety features come into play when an accident occurs.

Laws control the operation of motor vehicles. In fact there are so many laws that the ordinary motorist may not be aware of them all. The most important aid for the road user is The Highway Code. Although it is not legally binding, it can be used in court as a model of good practice.Once enshrined in law the responsibility for enforcement falls on the police, traffic wardens or other specified law enforcement agencies. Most police forces have a specialized division that takes care of traffic laws. The police and courts are empowered to penalise road users with fines,disqualification from driving, and/or endorsement of licenses and ultimately prison. A recent introduction has been the penalty points system. Under this method drivers who collect twelve penalty points within a three year period will automatically lose their license.

All road users must be aware of the safe and proper way to use roads. This process starts in the home with parents educating their children and continues through primary and secondary school. The statutory responsibility for this aspect rests with the Road Safety Officers based within each local Education and Library Board Area.