TOThe habitual use of alternative means of transport and methods of travel to the car is increasing in Italy, and this is good news. But the coexistence between different actors on the scene makes the life in the city is very complicated and (yet another) source of anxiety. Between the invasion of lanes intended for other types of vehicles, bikes on the pavements and pedestrians outside the crossings, there are many behaviors that not only spoil our mood from the early morning but put us in serious danger. This is what emerges from the third edition of the study “Road sharing” created by IPSOS for the VINCI Autoroutes Foundation on road safety conducted on 12,400 people: a sort of barometer of responsible driving.
Road safety, the difficult coexistence between cars, bicycles, motorbikes and scooters
As many as 26% of European motorists and 57% of motorcyclists invade the lanes reserved for bikes, 72% of cyclists ride on pavements85% of pedestrians cross outside protected crossings and 93% of road users always have fear of risky behavior in others.
An interesting fact that emerges from the survey is that whatever the mode of travel, coexistence with other road users is a source of anxiety and tension. Within a congested public space, the co-presence of different modes of travel (car, motorized two-wheeler, bicycles and walking), as well as the variation of the respective spaces, make coexistence between those who travel is complex and often difficult. Road safety is not guaranteed for anyone.
Driving in the city, how anxious!
This applies in particular to Italians (98% compared to 92% of Europeans): the street is experienced as a particularly anxious space due to the behavior of other users. Pedestrians are afraid that the car won’t stop to let them pass when they are at a pedestrian crossing but in general everyone suffers from other people’s aggression.
In this panorama, responsibilities are at various levels. “There lack of infrastructure adequate makes coexistence more complex. But cannot justify the high number of infringements and risky behaviourswhich especially endanger the most vulnerable users”, says Bernadette Moreau, General Delegate of the VINCI Autoroutes Foundation. The lack of space, the density of traffic or simply the search for greater safety these are the reasons that push us to invade the spaces reserved for other road users (sidewalks, preferential lanes, cycle paths), even at the cost of putting them in danger.
Improper occupation of space constitutes a danger to pedestrians on sidewalks (64% of Europeans, 71% of Italians say they have been grazed by a bicycle, scooter or hoverboard). But also for cyclists near traffic lights: the stop lines would be reserved for them while 57% of motorcyclists and 26% of European motorists confess to using them. Ditto for cycle paths, used by motorcyclists and cars for parking. 36% of motorists admit to opening the door without checking that there are no oncoming cyclists.
Road safety is essential for sustainable mobility
But the feeling of safety on a bicycle represents an important factor in its diffusion. And in fact it concerns 93% of the Dutch and only 62% of the Italians (but 60% of the French).
There are quite a few motorists (32%) who confess to regularly parking in double rows. And there are many road users who they use the telephone. 66% of motorists (72% Italians). 57% of pedestrians (58%). 50% of regular motorcyclists (59%) and 34% of regular cyclists (38%). This is the most common traffic violation. Followed by failure to respect the red traffic light and failure to use the arrow to overtake or change direction.
iO Donna © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED