Road safety monitor 2009; Analysis of crashes, mobility, behaviour and policy in 2008 In this report, we discuss developments in the number of road casualties in 2008. We also discuss the fatality and injury rates relative to the rates of previous years. In conclusion, this report addresses the measures taken in 2008 to increase road safety. The number of fatalities shows a downward trend and fell further in 2008 to 750. It is striking that the decrease in 2008 can be seen mainly with respect to fatalities dying 11 to 30 days after a crash. The SWOV will carry out further research into the reasons underlying this fact. The number of in-patients seems not to have decreased further in recent years. The police registered 9,310 in-patients in 2008. In addition, there were 17,636 seriously injured with a so-called Maximum Abbreviated Injury Score (MAIS) of 2 or more. This MAIS indicates a casualty’s most serious single injury on a scale of 1 to 6. The decrease in the number of fatalities is coincident with a decrease in mobility. The number of fatalities per billion kilometres travelled in 2008 was more or less as high as it was in 2007. The number of registered in-patients per billion kilometres travelled was higher in 2008 than it had been in previous years. Developments in casualty numbers were further analysed according to different modes of transport, region and road type. Developments in mobility and casualty rates were subsequently analysed in terms of different modes of transport. Since sound data on vehicle kilometres on different road types are not available, such subsequent analysis is unfortunately not possible for road types. A further decrease in the number of fatalities and in the fatality rate (number of fatalities per billion kilometres travelled) can be seen particularly with respect to pedestrians. The number of fatalities among cyclists seems not to have decreased further in recent years. In addition, the fatality rate for cyclists seems not to have decreased further since 2005. The number of fatalities among car occupants decreased further in 2008 but the fatality rate increased slightly relative to 2007. In terms of road type, a favourable development can be seen particularly with respect to roads on which a maximum permitted speed of 80 km/h applies. Both the number of fatalities and number of in-patients decreased further in 2008. With respect to roads on which a maximum permitted speed of 50 km/h applies, the number of fatalities seems not to have decreased further since 2004. The number of in-patients on these roads has even increased. Finally, this report addresses measures and developments within the context of regulations and enforcement, infrastructure, education and public information, and vehicle safety. The potential effects of a number of these measures were investigated by studying developments in road user behaviour. Road safety policy is characterized primarily by the continuation of policy and developments. Examples in this regard include the construction of infrastructure that is sustainably safe and the increasing penetration of features like electronic stability control (ESC) and pedestrian-friendly car fronts. No new measures that could already produce a measurable effect within the same year were taken in 2008. The spearheads policy was continued with respect to enforcement. The level of enforcement exercised by the regional traffic police teams (RTPTs) in 2008 decreased slightly relative to 2007 in relation to a number of spearheads. Data on the extent of regular enforcement is unfortunately lacking. Despite the reduced efforts of the RTPTs, a number of positive developments were visible in 2008 regarding road user behaviour. The use of safety features in vehicles, the use of bicycle lighting and the use of helmets by moped riders increased in 2008. Alcohol consumption during weekend nights hardly changed in 2008. Driving speeds on a number of road types, namely those on which maximum permitted speeds of, respectively, 50, 80 and 120 km/h apply, would also seem to show unfavourable development in 2008. If the existing policy is continued and current developments remain as they are, there is a reasonable chance that the road safety targets concerning the number of fatalities will be achieved in 2010 and 2020. The road safety targets concerning the number of in-patients will probably not be achieved if policy remains unchanged. The SWOV recommends continued investment in road safety to increase the likelihood of achieving the road safety targets. The Road Safety Strategic Plan 2008-2020 (Strategisch Plan Verkeersveiligheid 2008-2020) provides reference points for a broad array of new measures. The recommendation in this respect is to specifically take the following aspects into account when further developing the Strategic Plan: - cyclists, moped riders, light moped riders and motorcyclists; - the involvement of cars; - crashes on roads on which maximum permitted speeds of, respectively, 30, 50 and 60 km/h apply. The SWOV also recommends consolidating enforcement at at least its current level and increasing its effectiveness and efficiency.