An Analysis of the Number of Traffic Accidents due to Wrong Way Driving between 2005 and 2013

Število prometnih nesreč, ki so posledica vožnje v nepravilno stran ali smer, se znižuje, kljub temu pa smo priča vedno večji medijski izpostavljenosti samega problema. Še posebej na avtocestah, kjer je hitrost večja, se takšne prometne nesreče končajo z veliko hujšimi posledicami. Posledice prometne nesreče so lahko materialna škoda, hude ali lahke telesne poškodbe ali smrt posameznika. Vožnja v nepravilno stran/smer je drugi najpogostejši vzrok za nastanek prometnih nesreč. Vzrokov za nastanek prometnih nesreč je veliko in so povezani na relaciji voznik–vozilo–okolje. Do vožnje v nepravilno stran/smer lahko pride namerno (s tem mislimo predvsem mlade, ki to počnejo zaradi adrenalina) ali nenamerno. V večini primerov gre za napake voznikov, ki ne upoštevajo prometne signalizacije. Agencija za varnost v cestnem prometu (AVP) se trudi s preventivnimi ukrepi vplivati na zavest udeležencev v prometu, policija pa z represivnimi ukrepi delovati na kršitelje prometnih predpisov. Globa za vožnjo v nepravilno stran/smer znaša 1200 evrov in 18 kazenskih točk, kar pa pomeni odvzem vozniškega dovoljenja. Da bi se število prometnih nesreč zaradi vožnje v nepravilno smer zmanjšalo, predlagamo opravljanje raziskav na voznikih, ki so v preteklosti že zapeljali v nepravilno smer, uvedbo svetlobne talne signalizacije, namestitev pretirano velikih tabel ter primernejšo namestitev že postavljene signalizacije, namestitev avtomatskih zapornic na vseh uvozih in izvozih, uvedbo GPS sporočanja o vožnji v nepravilni smeri, razvoj radijske tomografije, uvedbo vodnih zaves ter fizičnih preprek voznikom, ki zapeljejo v nepravilno smer. Predlagamo tudi, da bi alkoholne ključavnice postale del obvezne opreme v vsakem prevoznem sredstvu.The number of traffic accidents caused by wrong-way driving is declining, however we are still being witness to the ever increasing media exposure of the problem itself. Especially on highways where the speed is greater, such traffic accidents end up with serious consequences. The aftermath of a traffic accident may be material damage, minor or severe injuries or even death of an individual. There are a lot of causes for traffic accidents and are related to the driver – vehicle – environment relation. Wrong way driving is the second most common cause for traffic accidents. Wrong way driving may be intentional (with this we are mostly pointing at young people who do it for the adrenaline) or unintentional. In most cases, it is the driver’s fault for failing to abide by traffic signalisation. Traffic Safety Agency is trying to influence the consciousness of road users with preventive measures and police is trying to act repressively against traffic law violators. The fine for wrong way driving is 1,200 EUR and 18 penalty points, which means driving licence termination. To reduce the number of wrong-way traffic accidents we suggest to initiate research on drivers that have already driven in the opposite direction, the introduction of flashing road signalisation, the installation of extra large traffic signs and an appropriate installation of signalisation that has already been placed, the installation of automatic barriers at all exits and entries, the implementation of GPS wrong-way messaging, the development of radio tomography, and the implementation of water curtains and physical barriers for drivers driving in the opposite direction. We also suggest alcohol locks to become part of the compulsory equipment in every means of transport