The effects of police motor patrols on accident incidence and driver behaviour

Abstract

This work gives an account of an experiment conducted by Durham University on behalf of The Research and Development Branch of The Home Office. The object of the experiment was to establish the effect, if any, of various levels of Police Motor Patrol on the accident rate. The project was confined to Trunk Roads Al and AI9, within the Durham Constabulary area and lasted from August 1967, to September 1968. The two roads were divided to provide four motor patrol routes each approximately twelve miles long. Two of the routes were kept as Controls throughout the project. The other two were subjected to varying Police patrol levels and different tactics. The time element was divided into four phases, each approximately of three months duration. Phase 1 was used to obtain control data for all four routes. During Phase 2 the patrol level on route 2 was increased by two patrol cars. In Phase 3 an additional seven motor cycles were used on route 4. During Phase 4 four motor cycles were alternated in cycles of ten days between routes 2 and 4.Throughout the experiment measurements were made of patrol hours reported, accidents and other incidents dealt with on route. The statistical analysis of the measurements is fully reported and the measurements, are presented in tabular and graph form. During the project surveys were made of the distribution of patrols crews time between various tasks and the function of single and double ere wed patrol cars. Studies were made of certain Police administrative procedures and completely new systems of accident and process reporting were introduced. A series .of pilot experiments were conducted establishing the effect of Police Patrols on driver behaviour. These pilot experiments were used as a basis for. a. further experiment.