Integrating criminal offense prevention into road traffic safety: A criminological and empirical assessment

This study explores the role of criminal offense prevention in enhancing road traffic safety through an interdisciplinary lens combining legal analysis, criminological theory, and empirical methods. Drawing upon frameworks such as Routine Activity Theory, General Deterrence Theory, and Situational Crime Prevention, the research examines how targeted legal interventions and enforcement strategies reduce the incidence of driving under the influence (DUI), excessive speeding, and reckless driving. Employing a mixed-methods approach—including traffic data analysis, case studies, geospatial mapping, and legislative review—the study compares enforcement outcomes across three European cities with varying traffic safety profiles. The results demonstrate that intensified legal measures, such as sobriety checkpoints and automated surveillance, correlate with significant reductions in traffic-related offenses and injuries. The findings further highlight a gap in existing legal practices concerning recidivism prevention among high-risk drivers. The research underscores the necessity of integrating criminological principles, public education, and technology-driven enforcement for sustainable improvements in road safety. This contribution advances policy-oriented discourse by providing empirically grounded recommendations for criminal law frameworks in traffic management.