Talking Traffic represents a clear step towards reducing the number of incidents in traffic: a well-warned, alert road user is better able to maintain his attention on the traffic around him, and is able to make the right choices at essential moments.
Agreements have been reached with all partners to ensure that Talking Traffic services make the maximum possible contribution to reducing unsafe traffic situations or anticipating unsafe traffic situations. The Partnership Talking Traffic offers made-to-measure driving task assistance: (on an anonymised basis) information is available about the location of road users, the speed and the direction in which they are travelling, via what route, to what destination. This makes it possible to regulate the transmission of tailor-made information and advice exclusively to those road users for whom the information in question is relevant.
Any distraction while driving is both a nuisance and dangerous. Smartphones, navigation systems and notifications on the dashboard or Head Up Display can be extremely useful in traffic, and make a contribution to road safety, on condition that they are used responsibly. Responsible use refers to use for navigation, route information and driving task assistance, without unnecessarily distracting the user during their journey. All parties have therefore been instructed to ensure that road users are able to use the services in their car or on their bicycle, in a manner that does not threaten road safety. The underlying principle is always: the driver must at all times be able to focus attention on the road. This includes agreements [link to separate page on road safety] about the way in which and the time at which information is displayed.
All information services within Talking Traffic have signed the covenant ‘Safe use of smart services in traffic’ or will do so, before their service is made available to road users. A number of other public and private partners have also signed the covenant.
