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It is estimated that by 2020 road accidents will rise from ninth to third place in the worldwide ranking of the burden of disease. Traffic calming can reduce road accidents; however, many motorists do not adhere to speed limits. We report on an intervention that can influence many motorists at dangerous sites, where accidents are likely to occur (e.g., near playgrounds, schools). The intervention is a speed-displaying device mounted next to the road (visible to both motorists and the public). Our findings indicate that the device is associated with a significant speed reduction relative to the control condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 300 motorists were recruited at public places to answer a self-report questionnaire on a new community-based intervention to enhance road safety. The intervention consisted of a speed-displaying device that was mounted next to the road and was visible to both motorists and the public. The device gives feedback about the current speed of the motorist. The majority of motorists believed these devices influenced compliance with the speed limit. They indicated they approached locations with these devices more slowly than similar locations without such devices. Moreover, they slowed down if they were going faster than the speed limit. They also said that their reaction to the devices was not influenced by whether they were driving in a community where they had friends or in a community where nobody knew them. These results were consistent across gender, age, levels of education, and professions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Road safety plays an increasing role in communities throughout the entire world. According to estimates, road accidents will have moved from ninth to third in the worldwide ranking of burden of disease by 2020. This theme issue is dedicated to community-based applications that have the aim to enhance road safety. Although various interventions will be demonstrated, this issue provides by no means an exhaustive overview of community-based applications. The applications presented in this issue are predominantly meant to stimulate ideas and discussion on what can be done to enhance road safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]