Nikolaou D., Laiou A., Kaiser S., Eichhorn A., Aigner-Breuss E., Meesmann U., Yannis G., “A Systematic Review of Traffic Safety Culture Definitions”, Proceedings of the 10th Road Safety and Simulation International Conference, Naples, 23-26 June 2026.

Traditional road safety measures targeting driver behaviour, vehicle technology, and infrastructure have significantly reduced crashes. However, further progress requires approaches beyond these measures. A safety culture perspective offers such an approach, as culture has a significant impact on traffic safety and is not addressed by traditional interventions. Traffic Safety Culture (TSC), rooted in the broader concept of safety culture, is a relatively recent and evolving field of research, and no consensus definition has yet emerged. This study, conducted within the TRUST project, reviews proposed definitions and applications of TSC, also referred to as Road Safety Culture (RSC). A PRISMA-based systematic literature review identified 48 relevant papers, from which 25 definitions were extracted. Twelve originated from two research groups, indicating ongoing conceptual development. While three definitions were overly broad, the remaining ones included additional components of TSC. Most definitions conceptualize TSC through one to five sub-dimensions, primarily cognitive but also behavioural and motivational. Shared norms, beliefs, and attitudes recur across definitions, with 13 related sub-constructs identified. Although studies predominantly measure TSC through quantitative surveys across countries, regions, or specific road user groups, conceptual and methodological inconsistencies persist. Greater conceptual clarity and methodological standardization are needed to strengthen the application of TSC in road safety research and interventions.