Strategic approach PTW in Luxembourg

André SCHAACK, chief commissioner

National Traffic & Safety Department

André.schaack@police.etat.lu

INTRODUCTION

As individual mobility is restricted by increased traffic, more and more roadusers see the motorcycle as a way to escape traffic chaos and enjoy theirfreedom.

Motorcyclists often arrive in dangerous situations because theyunderestimate other road users, or because another road user does not seethem. In these situations a defensive approach and the appropriatereactions are important.

On the other side, over-estimation of the own driving capacities, combinedwith overspeed/non-adapted speed together with not-knowing orunderestimate a dangerousness and winding road is a fatal cocktail!

91km/h outside the city costs a 49€ fine, and sometimes it costs your life.

Some key numbers:

Total fatalities & motorcycles

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

goal 32 31 29 28 26 25 23 22 20 19 16

Reality

moto

32 33 34 45 35 36

6

32

3

25

7

36

9

22

4

15

3

2018 january-june: 12 accidents with fatalities, therefrom 7 motorcyclistes

2015-2018:

• Average age of the victims (fatalities & heavily injured): 40 year

• Most dangerous age range: 25-54

• Dangerous period: June-September/week-ends

• No third party involved

Specific analysis

End 2018, we analysed each single accident in which a motorcyclist was involved.

Results:

3 main categories:

1. Accidents on the motorway:

Reason:

• Mainly because of driving in

the middle of the 2 lanes during traffic jam

2. Accidents inside towns/cities.

• Reasons:

• motocyclist has been overseen

• Priority problem

• „First position“ at red-lights

1 = less relevant

2 = commuter traffic (especially in the south + centre of the country (higher density of

population)

Main cause =

non adapted speed in combination with driving faults

• Good infrastructure (high quality road surface)

• Attractive region

• Attractive roads for motorcyclists (many curves,

…)

• Accidents are caused because of a driving-fault,

mainly in combination with overspeed

• Mainly non-residents

3. Accidents outside of the cities/towns and mainly in the northern part of

Luxembourg (Ardennes)

1. Internal Police « Motorcycle-Plan »

2. WG Motocycles on Ministry-Level within the framework of National Circulation Commission

The new plan is based on the « 3 E »

1. Education (and communication)

2. Enforcement

3. Engineering

Motorcycle Action-Plan

1. EDUCATION

Each year, special training „Fit for your Bike“ organized by The National Driving Centre: http://www.cfc.lu/pages/english/courses/motorcycle.php

Since 2020: 2 supplementary sessions

The aim is to educate the participants to take a more aware

and defensive attitude to driving through simulations of

dangerous and emergency situations using special road

constructions and the latest equipment.

The highest security standards combined with well trained

and experienced instructors, help the participants to adopt a

more defensive driving style. They become more aware of the

dangers of everyday traffic and get to know their limits and

those of their vehicles. They are then more likely to react in

an appropriate way in emergency situations.

2. Enforcement

• More police-presence in the northern part of Luxembourg

• Purchase of a new generation of radars (speed-gun)

• Purchase of a second enforcement trailer

• Specified schooling for police-officers

• More enforcement by traffic police officers

• Permanentely at least 1 enforcement trailer on specific

« motorcyclist-roads »

Speed enforcement trailer

3 overspeed categories:

1. Simple administrative fine: 49€

2. „heavy“ administrative fine: 145€ outside towns overspeed more than 20km/h

3. Criminal offence: overspeed more than 50% and at least 20 km/h

Results:

49€: more cars as motorcycles

145€: very less cars and nearly no luxemburgish number-plate, motorcycles nearly only

foreign numberplates (D, B, F and NL)

Criminal offence: idem

3. Engineering

2018 choosen Road: N25 Wiltz-Kautenbach

Analysis:

• Speed average: 103 km/h (max. 166km/h)

• Length: 9km

• Average trafic: +- 400 vehicles/day

• Curves: 35

Motorcyclists accidents:

• mostly non-residents

• Only at weekends

• Only while good weather conditions

Special marking end of June 2018

The final markings on both sides

Sign posting

Monitoring

Monitoring in 2018

Methodology: registrations during 4 weekends between 7am and 8pm

Monitoring

Before & after the new marking

Before:

After:

After 3 weeks

Before & after 2 month

Evolution of the behavior

Result

2019 & 2020

Results are excellent

• Experiment has expected positive

effects

• Strong diminuation of drivers who

uses the opposite track (close to

0%)

• No influence of the behavior of other

users

2019: CR342-N7 Rodershausen: 3.7

km/20 curves: done

2020: N27 Goebelsmühle-

Heiderscheid Grund: 10km/40

curves: still to do

Communication = important

Questions?