Log in
Many adverse outcomes, including deaths, have been attributed to alarms. Historically, alarms have fallen short of their potential to contribute to safe working because the psychological aspects of understanding and responding to alarms were overlooked. Without careful consideration of the relationship between the acoustic elements embodied in their design, and their relationship to both understanding and timely response, alarms by themselves are no guarantee of safety. Edworthy and Hellier have a long record of influential work on the study of the relationship between alarm design, understanding, and response. This involvement has led to changes in guidelines, international standards, the development of best practice documents, and new products in both healthcare and the rail industry in both the UK and worldwide, particularly the US.
Research conducted by the Accident Research Unit (ARU) at the University of Nottingham since 1988 has influenced decision-making processes for government road safety executives across the globe. A series of studies commissioned by the Department for Transport (DfT), in addition to independent research, fed into research policy-making documentation, helping to frame national and international government policy on road safety in the UK, Europe, America, and Australasia. The work has informed publicity materials for professionals and the public with a particular focus on collisions involving young drivers, motorcycle safety, work-related traffic collisions and distractibility due to roadside advertising.
Falls are a common and serious health risk for older people and reducing falls is a priority for the NHS. Research at the University of Bradford on the link between vision and falls has led to new healthcare guidelines, specifically those from the College of Optometrists and the British Geriatrics Society and endorsed by Age UK and the Royal College of General Practitioners. Continuing professional development practices have changed and public awareness of this health risk has been raised by Which? reports and subsequent media coverage. These developments have impacted on the health and welfare of older people, particularly those at risk of falls.
The World Health Organization cites road traffic accidents as one of the world's leading health concerns. Research in the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London has investigated the relationship between fundamental aspects of human visual processing across the lifespan and the scenarios in which road accidents are most likely to occur. This research has been at the heart of a national campaign to lower urban speed limits, particularly where child pedestrians are present. It has also led to improved driver safety in commercial organisations, and has contributed to the commercial design of driver assistance systems.
Corbett's research, which was broadly positive about the introduction of speed cameras, informed the DETR decision to roll-out of speed cameras nationally. Four statements developed in the research became part of the benchmark criteria used to assess public opinion on speed cameras and have featured in local audits of attitudes to speed cameras since 2008. Subsequent research has concluded that lives have been saved by speed camera installation thus Corbett's research has contributed positively to national road safety culture. Some estimates suggest that speed cameras save 1,000 people from death or injury per annum, 6,000 people since 2008.