THE POSITION OF TRAFFIC LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE TOTAL ENFORCEMENT POLICY; THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PREVENTATIVE AND REPRESSIVE ENFORCEMENT

In this speech is is stated that traffic enforcement projects in the Netherlands are unique for two different reasons: (1) They show that road safety is approached systematically; and (2) traffic enforcement as such is a unique form of enforcement. The interaction between the different road users, the different types of road users and also the different target group of the judicial policy of enforcement, is much more intensive than in any other area. Because of this intensive interaction and the large population of potential offenders, it is so important that a very high-quality, visible form of enforcement in the traffic situation be implemented. This would stimulate a sense of order. Traffic enforcement gives a picture of the government's general policy of enforcement. Against this background traffic enforcement is much more important than the aim of promoting road safety. Road safety will remain the primary aim of traffic enforcement, but it also has a much broader significance. A society which is not in control of its traffic enforcement, is a society which is inclined to degenerate further and is very careless about its law enforcement in general. (A) For thecovering abstract of the conference see IRRD 491124.