Roads under magnifying glass: How safe do Czechs feel in international comparison?

The Centre for Transport Research, v. v. i. has published the results of the third wave of the international ESRA (E-Survey of Road Users' Attitudes) project, which focuses mainly on the attitudes of road users and their subjective perception of safety, risk and acceptability of risky behaviour in traffic. It also includes subjective perceptions of road safety. The survey, conducted in 2023, included assessments of different types of roads and provides valuable information on the perception of safety among Czech drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists.

Road safety is a key issue that affects our daily lives. As traffic increases, more emphasis is being placed on safe roads. The BESIP 2021-2030 strategy monitors various aspects of safety, including the evolution of accident consequences by road type. However, it is important to know not only objective accident data but also how drivers themselves perceive safety. The ESRA international survey also provides us with valuable information on how Czechs evaluate the safety of different types of roads and how our evaluation differs from other European countries. The subjective perception of road safety by all road users is an important factor determining safe behaviour.

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In the Czech Republic, a total of 965 respondents participated in the ESRA3 survey. Participants were asked which transport modes they use and how often. The results show that a large majority of them use transport at least occasionally as a pedestrian or passenger in a vehicle, 66.5 % also as a driver of a vehicle, 62.6 % of respondents identified themselves as cyclists and 16.6 % ride a motorcycle. The assessment of each road type was then only made by respondents who indicated that they actually use that type.

Czech drivers rate road safety worse than in Europe

Only 58.6 % of Czech users (drivers) perceive motorways in the Czech Republic as safe, compared to the European average of 66.1 1 %. Roads outside the municipality are considered safe by 38.6 % of Czech respondents, while the European average is 50.8 %. The biggest difference is for local roads, which are considered safe by only 34.3 % of Czech drivers, while the European average is 51.4 %.

Subjective assessment of infrastructure in the Czech Republic reflects regional differences

Road safety ratings also vary significantly between regions. For example, drivers rated roads outside the municipality as safe most often in the Zlín Region (48.1 %), but in the Karlovy Vary Region it was only 22.3 %. Similarly, local roads were rated best in the Hradec Králové Region (50.0 %), and worst in the Central Bohemia Region (25.1 1 %).

Vulnerable participants

Cyclists and pedestrians' perception of safety is closer to the European average. Cyclists rate local roads with cycle lanes the best (65.5 % safe), while only 21.7 % respondents consider roads outside the village without cycle lanes safe. Pedestrians feel safest on roads with sidewalks, which are rated safe by 76.1 % Czech respondents, which is above the European average of 71.9 %.

"The analysis of the results showed that Czech motor vehicle drivers perceive all types of roads used as less safe compared to the European average. Although the evaluation of pedestrians and cyclists is in line with the European average, we do not reach the results of more developed countries. Within the Czech Republic, there are significant differences between regions. The results of international comparisons clearly show that road users rate roads as safe in countries that have a lower long-term rate of serious accidents and a modern approach to road design," reported by Pavlina Folded from the Center for Transportation Research. The results of individual regions suggest where more attention should be paid to the condition of roads. Systematic application of the principle of self-explanatory and forgiving roads, traffic calming in cities and towns and continuous education on safe behaviour and the use of passive safety options can help to achieve the objectives of the BESIP 2021-2030 Strategy.

Suggestions for improvement: Modernisation and awareness raising

"Despite partial improvements in road safety, this area requires constant efforts. In addition to the safe shaping of roads, it is essential to pay constant attention to education that targets the behaviour of road users not only in terms of prevention but also in terms of mitigating the consequences of potential accidents," Says Katerina Bucsuházy from the area of In-Depth Traffic Accident Analysis, which is a unique research activity of the Transport Research Centre.

"Focusing on vulnerable road users, we encounter in particular the frequent absence of helmets on cyclists, which in many cases can save lives. In the context of cyclists, it is also necessary to mention the increasing number of electric bicycles, which, unfortunately, is increasingly contributing not only to the accident rate, but also to its consequences - often the most serious ones. Cyclists have also long been a category of road users who are responsible for a high proportion of accidents while under the influence of alcohol, both on conventional bicycles and on e-bikes and e-scooters. For pedestrians, the use of retro-reflective features can often prevent serious accidents. Even these seemingly trivial things can in many cases prevent serious or even fatal injuries due to traffic accidents, which can have a positive impact on whether or not the goal the Czech Republic has committed to in the BESIP 2021-2030 Strategy will be met," he concludes Lukas Kadula from the Center for Transportation Research.

CDV/ gnews - RoZ