The police are competent and always present contact persons who have direct knowledge and experience and act as role models in the area of road traffic. One of the focuses of police work is to increase tolerance and consideration, especially for more vulnerable road users. The priorities of the police are geared at emphasizing how relevant and appropriate the decisions made by road traffic authorities are. Police activities center on reducing the dangerous behavior of certain target groups, changing attitudes and increasing the risk of detection. A report on the traffic situation contains all of the information the police need in order to take further action and constitutes the scientific basis of police work involving traffic matters. The most important component thereof is a traffic accident evaluation done by experts. This evaluation incorporates the data from all accidents recorded by the police. This data combined with the data from traffic surveillance provides a detailed picture of the traffic situation. The police subsequently adapt traffic-related measures according to the various target groups, the main causes of accidents and times that accidents often occur. Currently, the target groups in Bavaria are car drivers, motorcyclists, truck drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, young novice drivers, children (school children) and senior citizens. In the case of older road users, the emphasis lies on perception and perceptibility. Vision and physical mobility worsen as a person ages. Thus, it is important to take appropriate steps in order to persuade senior citizens to take more individual responsibility. As far as the topic of perceptibility is concerned, all road users are asked to show more consideration for others. One’s own visibility is a key issue.

Cooperation between Police and Emergency Medical Services

The Bavarian State Ministry of the Interior, Building and Transport is the highest authority over the police and emergency medical services. The individual police dispatch centers and the integrated control rooms for emergency medical services are in close contact with each other in order to ensure that a uniform course of action is taken, from the emergency call to the assistance provided on site. The cooperation between all authorities and organizations involved in an operation is regulated by law and precisely stipulated. This presentation contains various practical examples of courses of action in the event of an operation, from a traffic accident to a mass accident.