Road traffic infringements and crash risk: is there evidence of a deterring influence?

This paper presents the results of a case-case-time-control study that aimed to determine whether infringements for traffic offences have a deterring influence on driver behaviour, measured by crash involvement. Licensing, infringements and crash data from Victorian drivers aged 40+ was used. The risk of receiving an infringement in the period prior to a crash was higher than in a comparable period. Infringements may not be effectively changing driver behaviour, and thus reducing the risk of crash involvement. Other approaches to changing driver behaviour may be necessary in order to enhance safety on the roads.