A "traffic conflict" can be generally defined as a traffic situation that involves two or more vehicles approaching each other in such a way that they pose a risk of a collision if they do not change their direction or speed. A "traffic conflict" implies the existence of a minimal period of time for undertaking an action to avoid a collision. The assessment of the risk level for accidents at a particular location involves documenting the number of "traffic conflicts" over a specified time period. This requires the use of trained observers who can make sufficiently precise evaluations of speeds, distances, and driver actions to avoid collisions. The risk for "traffic conflicts" for a monitored location can be determined by a continuous recording of all serious "traffic conflicts" in a certain time period, together with the recording of all traffic flows and other characteristic behaviors of the traffic participants (traffic violations regardless of consequences).
Use of Traffic Conflict Techniques in the Process of Educating Traffic Police (From Policing in Central and Eastern Europe: Comparing Firsthand Knowledge With Experience From the West, P 689-691, 1996, Milan Pagon, ed. -- See NCJ-170291)
NCJ Number
170351
Date Published
1996
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The daily task of the traffic police is to recognize the connection between traffic violations and traffic accidents; in accomplishing this task, the use of the "traffic conflict techniques" and knowing their theoretical background can be beneficial.
Abstract