Tjivikua’s Corner – Leveraging sociological expertise to address driver behaviour and cultural norms

To fix speed on our roads, traffic engineers and sociologists should combine efforts to physically alter road geometry in order to force natural speed compliance and to address the behavioral and cultural norms that cause risky driving. Together, they can combine road design with community-based social marketing and targeted outreach to change driver habits, focusing mainly on traffic calming.

Sociologists in traffic management analyse how cultural attitudes, social dynamics, and human behaviour impact transportation networks. While engineers build roads, and

to ensure safe, efficient and convenient movement of people and goods across various transportation networks. Sociologists also study why drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians act the way they do. Their research informs policies that reduce road rage, decrease traffic violations and improve urban mobility.