Measured by the level of transportation safety, the Commonwealth of Virginia stands out from all the States because despite increased need for mobility, it manages to maintain its safety indices at exceptionally good levels. In many respects we can attribute this success to the comprehensive Strategic Highway Safety Plan of Virginia (SHSP), which is, as concluded from the analysis of its analogues, among the best in the US. The programs and policies described in this document embrace all aspects of transportation safety and create a harmonious system. To assess the effectiveness of the SHSP, this thesis used correlation and regression analysis based on statistical data from the years 2004 – 2011 in Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), and Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) documents. The performed calculations showed very positive trends with gradual reduction, in crash and death rates. It was also found that citizens would use private vehicles more often in the future without making conditions worse on the highways. Instead, drivers tend to be more careful and responsible. Analysis also reveals a rising level of drunken driving incidents, a finding substantiated by literature review, chiefly planning reports and economic analysis. The current transportation policy I does not adequately address this issue. The correlation between allocation of funds and performance indicators showed it would be more effective to invest in research projects on safety rather than in “safety” itself (i.e. construction of roads). Unfortunately, in difficult times, governments usually cut research projects. Finally, Virginia is on the verge of a new transportation era, when the structure of driving cohorts will change, and decisions about building new highways will have to be balanced between technical and ecological considerations.

<p>Sammanfattning:</p><p>Denna studie syftar till att fånga upplevelser av hur livet kan förändras i positiv riktning efter bearbetandet av en nära anhörigs suicid, med fokus på posttraumatic growth och positiva förändringar. Studien utgör ett bidrag till forskningsområdet där trauma ses som en möjlig grogrund för gynnsam utveckling hos den drabbade individen. Kvalitativa intervjuer genomfördes med sex personer som alla mist en nära anhörig i suicid. Deltagarna uttryckte PTG inom temana självperception, interpersonella relationer och livsfilosofi. Följande positiva förändringar framkom: förändringar i personligheten, ändrade prioriteringar, möten med människor på ett djupare plan, ny syn på döden, värdesätter tid med familjen mer, djupare glädje och tacksamhet, samt nya möjligheter. Resultatet tyder på att detta svåra trauma kan föra något gott med sig.</p> / <p>Abstract:</p><p>The purpose of this study is to capture experiencies of how life can change for the better after the struggle with the suicide of a close relative, focusing on posttraumatic growth and positive changes. The study contributes to the research area where trauma is considered a possible opportunity for growth within the traumatized individual. Qualitative interviews were conducted with six individuals all of whom have lost a close relative to suicide. The participants expressed PTG in the themes selfperception, interpersonal relationships, and philosophy of life. Positive changes that emerged were: changes in personality, changed priorities, the ability to interact with people on a deeper level, renewed perspectives on death, values time spent with family more, deeper sense of happiness and gratitude, and new possibilities. The result shows that something good can come out of a trauma as severe as this one.</p>

Sammanfattning: Denna studie syftar till att fånga upplevelser av hur livet kan förändras i positiv riktning efter bearbetandet av en nära anhörigs suicid, med fokus på posttraumatic growth och positiva förändringar. Studien utgör ett bidrag till forskningsområdet där trauma ses som en möjlig grogrund för gynnsam utveckling hos den drabbade individen. Kvalitativa intervjuer genomfördes med sex personer som alla mist en nära anhörig i suicid. Deltagarna uttryckte PTG inom temana självperception, interpersonella relationer och livsfilosofi. Följande positiva förändringar framkom: förändringar i personligheten, ändrade prioriteringar, möten med människor på ett djupare plan, ny syn på döden, värdesätter tid med familjen mer, djupare glädje och tacksamhet, samt nya möjligheter. Resultatet tyder på att detta svåra trauma kan föra något gott med sig. / Abstract: The purpose of this study is to capture experiencies of how life can change for the better after the struggle with the suicide of a close relative, focusing on posttraumatic growth and positive changes. The study contributes to the research area where trauma is considered a possible opportunity for growth within the traumatized individual. Qualitative interviews were conducted with six individuals all of whom have lost a close relative to suicide. The participants expressed PTG in the themes selfperception, interpersonal relationships, and philosophy of life. Positive changes that emerged were: changes in personality, changed priorities, the ability to interact with people on a deeper level, renewed perspectives on death, values time spent with family more, deeper sense of happiness and gratitude, and new possibilities. The result shows that something good can come out of a trauma as severe as this one.