PSYCHOLOGICAL TRICKS IN HIGHWAY PLANNING

THE FACT THAT PRIORITY-TYPE INJURIES REPRESENT A SUBSTANTIAL PART OF THE ACCIDENTS, EVEN AT NEWLY COMPLETED STRAIGHT-FORWARD CROSSINGS, NEEDS TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN PLANNING NEW ROADS. A CAR DRIVER WHO FINDS HIMSELF ON A ROAD WITH PRIORITY CONSIDERS THAT HE CAN USE SUCH A ROAD WITHOUT DUE CARE, BECAUSE HE DOES NOT HAVE TO LOOK OUT FOR OTHER VEHICLES WITH PRIORITY AT JUNCTIONS. FOR THIS REASON THE SPEED LIMIT WILL OFTEN BE EXCEEDED IN A MANNER WHICH DRIVERS WISHING TO TURN INTO THE PRIORITY ROAD FIND DIFFICULT TO ESTIMATE. THESE DRIVERS HAVE TO RECONCILE THEMSELVES WITH THE OTHER TRAFFIC AND THIS DEMAND IS OFTEN TOO DIFFICULT FOR THEM. THEREFORE IT IS NECESSARY TO ENSURE IN FUTURE HIGHWAY PLANNING THAT AS FAR AS IS POSSIBLE THE PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE OBLIGATION OF RECONCILIATION WITH OTHER TRAFFIC SHOULD BE SHARED IN AN EQUITABLE MANNER AND CONSULTATION SHOULD TAKE PLACE WITH A TRAFFIC PSYCHOLOGIST TO ENSURE THE RECOGNITION OF TRAFFIC HAZARD LOCATIONS ON NEW HIGHWAYS AND INTERSECTIONS.