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Association of the Traffic Psychologist of the Czech Republic

History:

The beginning of traffic psychology in Czechoslovakia used the knowledge of English and American psychologist during World War I. with the selection of the military personnel (Spearman, Otis, Yerkes, Terman, Thorndike, Kelley) and German psychotechnics (Muensterberger, Piorkovski, Giese, Rupp, Moede, Poppelreuter).

The new conception of driver assessment has been conducted in the Czech republic since the middle of the last century. After WW II. it was recognised that industrial work and driving are both physical and mental processes since personality variables, traits and behavioural preconditions have an impact on driving behaviour. Tests were centred on perceptual skills, attention and concentration, sensorimotor skills, intellectual capacity and qualitative criteria of personality. The main tasks of the traffic psychology was assessment of psychological fitting to drive (obligatory for “professionals”, voluntary for “amateurs”) and authorised experts activities concerning of accidents investigation.

The contemporary state:

5^th June 1990 – The foundation of the Association of Traffic Psychologist of Czechoslovak Republic (ADP) – all the specialised traffic psychologist, which works in the area of the selection and the evaluation of drivers and other traffic personnel. The member of ADP must be graduated in psychology with minimum three years of practice in the field of the traffic psychology. ADP belongs among founders of the Union of the Psychological Associations of Czech republic, which is responsible for the professional acitvities of psycholgists.

The Association of Traffic Psychologists of Czech Republic has three main aims:

• to develop the practice of traffic psychology and to provide for such a psychologists a forum for the professional support, advice and in service training,
• to promote high standards of professional competence and behaviour among the traffic psychologists – this entails protecting the public from abuses of the subjects,
• to increase public awareness of traffic psychology for the advantage of individuals and organisations.

The Association co-operate with the Institute of the Road and Urban Transport, with The Ministry of Transport, with the Governmental Commission for the Safety on the Road (BESIP), with the Traffic Academy of Czech Republic, and with the Traffic Research Institute of Czech Republic (CDV).

We also participate on international research projects (COST, DG TREN) and we have particular contacts with traffic institutions (e.g. BASt, KfV, INRETS, TRL, SWOW, SINTEF, DTF, ITS, etc.). We also co-operate with EFPA Standing Committee Traffic Psychology (dr. Koran is permanent member from 1999) and is responsible for the co-operation between the branch of clinical psychology and traffic psychology e.g. the testing of older drivers with cognitive impairments or the driving of physically handicapped drivers).

Former educational activities for the members of ADP -The postgraduate study in Traffic psychology I (1992-1993 in co-operation with The Palacky University in Olomouc) and the continuation (1998-99). The third course started in October 2006. Every year we also prepare a special discussion classes for traffic psychologist from the Czech and Slovak Republic.

We also co-operate on the preparation of the new legislation on human factors in the road transport and the psychological capability to the driving of motor vehicles, on the enforcement of the so called “demerit system” of the evaluation of the drivers, similar as in the West Europe, the enforcement of the modern safety elements in the traffic and the co-operation during the preparation of the new test battery for the selection of drivers and other workers in the public transport.

The outlook for the future:

• The co-operation on the preparation of the proposals of new laws concerning of the psychological problems of driving.
• The Assessment and the Rehabilitation of drivers – co-operation with EFPA Standing Committee Traffic Psychology.
• The improvement of the psychological selection of drivers and other traffic workers.
• The participation on the implement of the safety regulations in the traffic.
• The teaching new traffic psychologist – to organise of the postgraduate study of the traffic psychology, to use experience from the European Union (EUROPSY).
• The participation on the preparation of the “Demerit Point system” law and its subsequent monitoring. Preparation of the special rehabilitation programs or certain types of psychotherapy designed to modify deviant behaviour of drivers convicted and reconvicted of violations against traffic code or regulations.
• Co-operation on the PASS (Psychological and Medical Assistance for Safe Mobility) – an interdisciplinary model to promote and secure mobility competence in Europe, which include three levels of improving and securing mobility competence.
• Preparation for the future boom in older drivers what could prove to be a serious problem in the next few years.
• Participation in the preparation of the amendment of traffic laws, especially concerning psychological examination of professional drivers by accredited traffic psychologist.
• Psychological care of victims of traffic accidents.

The list of members:

List of members in pdf - 136 kB(Czech version only)