A new
approach to reduce casualties in the group of young drivers
| The first road safety
project (the low-powered moped and moped--project) started in 1991. For the Traffic Police
Department of Amsterdam this signalled the beginning of a new, integrated and thematic
approach of road safety. Since that time partly because of the success of this
project, many other projects like Bicycle, Red Light and Speed, and Traffic Education were
established according to the same philosophy. 
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New trendy mopeds
In the 90’s the branch developed
new models of mopeds and low-powered mopeds that were very attractive to the younger
buyers. Especially the low powered moped (up to 20 km/h), that until then had been mainly
used by elderly people, became a real trend. The fact that safety helmets were not
compulsory for low-powered moped drivers contributed largely to its popularity.
The first
problems
| In the region
of Amsterdam these new types of low-powered mopeds became a means of identification for
younger people. They expressed themselves amongst others by macho behaviour, intimidation
of pedestrians and purse snatching, by using their low-powered moped to be able to get
away quickly. Courier services and kebab and pizza restaurants used tuned-up
low-powered mopeds for their deliveries. |
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Difficulties with enforcement
Because
it was very easy to tune-up low-powered mopeds and normal mopeds and because the two could
hardly be distinguished from one another, the enforcement of regulations became very
complicated. The difference between the two lay only in the orange or yellow plate on the
front wing. The youngsters simply took off the yellow plates and replaced them with orange
ones. This way, they were driving mopeds that looked like low-powered mopeds, but however
without a helmet.
This development led to an alarming
increase in the number of road casualties in youngsters between the ages of sixteen and
seventeen. Especially the number of victims with non-congenital brain damage increased
dramatically.
Because of the many complaints from the
inhabitants of residential areas and because of the number of casualties, the then Chief
of the Traffic Police Department in Amsterdam decided that priority should be given
to this target group. |
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| Since 1991 the Traffic Police specialists worked at combating dangers on the
road the basis of a systematic, integrated approach in the form of projects.
And integrated, in the sense of looking
at the coherence between Engineering, Enforcement, and Education, as well as between man,
road, and vehicle. An integrated approach also means working together with external
partners in the field of road safety.
* Engineering. The technical
approach, for example, by giving advice on the design of the vehicle, the road or the
environment.
* Enforcement. Being involved
with the establishment of regulations on behalf of the legislator, to be enforced in close
consultation with the Public Prosecutor in Amsterdam.
* Education. Assisting teachers
in providing traffic information at schools, and more particularly, training of knowledge,
skills, behaviour, and "attitude". We focus also on the possible consequences of
dangerous behaviour for the pupils themselves and for their environment.
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The results
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In the last three years,
the Traffic Police Department has realized standardization for the inspection of young
drivers of low-powered mopeds and normal mopeds with respect to the technical condition of
their vehicle. Every
week, inspections have been and are still carried out by the department in collaboration
with the local precincts. The vehicles are tested on power and noise. Illegal engine parts
are removed immediately and confiscated. The charge is settled on the spot by means of an
automated administration. |
Traffic education for moped-riders
| Officers of the Traffic
Police have visited secondary schools to inform youngsters on the problems with regard to
low-powered mopeds and normal mopeds. Topics were enforcement, environment, braking techniques, use of the helmet,
driving behaviour (discussion with the class), causes and statistics of accidents (the
chance of having an accident and the percentages of actual accidents), and so forth.
In addition a confrontational and
dramatic video production was used for discussion at schools.
This made young people aware of the
problems of dangerous driving behaviour. Both the pupils and the teachers have reacted
with enthusiasm regarding the low-powered moped and normal moped project at secondary
schools.
Comparing the approach to the
low-powered moped/moped problem to 1991, the number of casualties has significantly
dropped. The use of safety helmets has improved in a spectacular way.
The tuning-up of low-powered mopeds and
mopeds has slowed down, although the percentage is still intolerably high. The number of
casualties has dropped with 35 percent and the number of hospitalizations with 42 percent.
The courier services and other companies
have reduced their mopeds to standard power, and some of them have even started using
bicycles.
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