Analysis of the effectiveness concerning initiatives for pedestrians’ safety on roads: a questionnaire survey

Abstract

Introduction. One of the most important issues and challenges of public safety policy in highly developed countries is the problem of ensuring road safety, along with dealing with health and material losses resulted from accidents. Unfortunately, Po­land, in comparison to other EU countries, has one of the worst statistics regarding accidents and mortality ratios, therefore it is essential to undertake long-term actions aimed at improving road safety, as well as educating drivers and pedestrians.

Aim. The purpose of this study is to analyse the problem and to investigate whether traffic safety campaigns are effective, and if they reach young audience.

Material and methods. The research was conducted in the first quarter of 2018 among the students of Faculty of Health Scien­ces of the Medical University of Lublin. The study method applied was a diagnostic survey, and the tool was an original ques­tionnaire. The participation was voluntary and anonymous. The obtained results were the subject of later statistical analysis. As many as 153 young respondents aged between 18 and 25 were tested, out of whom 73.68% were women and 26.32% were men.

Results. Over half of the surveyed (56.3%) declared walking as the main form of participation in traffic, and 25.9% of the surveyed used public transport. The most numerous group of the examined (34.21%) thought that the Polish roads were rather un­safe. As the reasons for the low safety on the Polish roads the respondents identified: bad condition of the roads (69.1%), drivers’ recklessness (67.1%), and maladjustment of the driving style to weather conditions (60.5%). All respondents have encountered campaigns concerning road safety, however not too often (56.58% less than once a month). The surveyed encountered these social campaigns on TV (88.2%), on the Internet (54.6%), and on billboards (23.7%).

Conclusion. Promotional campaigns concerning road safety have a greater impact on women. In the examined group, around 67% of women changed their behaviour as a result of the campaigns, and only 42.5% of men. Social campaign which was best remembered, and had the biggest influence on the respondents (50.3%) was „Say STOP to reckless driver you love”.