Search

Professional road crash investigation, complemented by intelligent analysis and dynamic actions provide the foundation for road safety reform. However, to date, the real potential resulting from police investigative findings have not been fully realised due to the lack of streamlined connectivity from the crash scene to the reform process. Such deficiencies include inadequate investigations, inadequate data management, convoluted processes, system delays, inadequate analysis and limited immediate and mid-term actions which should be generated following thorough and efficient investigations. A review of processes across high, medium and low-income countries has identified a more effective approach to achieving results in road safety reform across all road safety disciplines. The simple AAA framework to ‘Acquire, Analyse and Action’ is presented as a contemporary model to ensure an evidence-based foundation drives road safety reform to identify root cause analysis locally, nationally and globally. This provides structure, discipline and purpose as well as technical skill and competence to achieve practical recommendations as preventative measures for crash reduction. A multi-disciplined expert review team to validate/assess/modify these recommendations in serious crashes ensures constructive countermeasures are prioritised and actioned. This facilitates a paradigm shift in thinking and analysis to achieve a continuous improvement process designed to reduce road trauma and save lives.

The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Iran) has embarked on a challenging project aiming to demonstrate how to make road travel safer through speed management measures based on Safe System Approach (SSA) and Result Based Management (RBM). This follows from mounting concern in curbing a high death rate from motor vehicle crashes in recent years. However, despite the Government’s commitment to address this problem, there have been setbacks owing to the challenges of putting in place a strong collaborative framework involving all the agencies charged with responsibilities for road engineering, traffic law enforcement and public education. Iran has established a National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) to lead and coordinate actions. In implementing a demonstration project, specific partnership arrangements have been established at national and provincial levels, as well as pillar-based project teams in 3 provinces. This paper examines the governance structure and opportunities to strengthen the collaborative management of the project and how similar programs can be established and executed in other countries to improve road safety based on SSA and RBM.

The level of road trauma is high in the Eastern Mediterranean Region with the Islamic Republic of Iran having a particularly high fatality rate at 20.5 per 100,000 population. The Government, assisted by the World Health Organisation (WHO), committed to implementing demonstration projects in three provinces that will form the basis of road safety actions to be advanced by the WHO across the Region. In recognition that speed management is a pivotal factor in achieving a safer road and traffic system, and as a component of the project, a review was carried out in 2019 by a team of international experts in the field in collaboration with national consultants. This review was undertaken in consideration of the Safe System Approach and the Results-Based Management Approach. The findings of this review and their implications for future actions in Iran are discussed in this paper.

This paper presents aspects of policy and practice observed in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) and the lessons which can be learned from these and similar initiatives. The role of non-government organisations in capacity building programs and advocacy is identified as a strong foundation for road safety reform. Political will is discussed as a critical component of reform together with the need for a holistic approach to ensure sustainability. The requirement for a strong evidence-base to support evaluation is discussed and the need to ensure strong governance over law enforcement is profiled. Good practice programs are described as well as the importance of harnessing the enthusiasm and dedication of youth in developing and championing initiatives for safer community outcomes. While the lack of resources and financial support may appear as an impediment to some, if viewed as a surmountable challenge, safety outcomes can be achieved. The findings demonstrate that there is a rich environment in LMICs from which to source and undertake key and critical research to stimulate continuous road safety improvement especially in those countries where road trauma remains at a comparatively high level.

Worldwide, every year 1.35 million people die due to road traffic injuries (Global Traffic Safety Report 2018). Road traffic injuries are now the leading cause of death for children and young people (5-29 years old), as reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The ‘Decade of Action’ for road safety (2011-2020) was a universal start to save millions of lives by taking a multi-disciplinary collaboration approach for road safety management. It encouraged countries to have safe road infrastructures, safe vehicles, safety-enhanced user behavior and improved road-injury related health services. All countries were encouraged to join this movement to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The ‘Safe Community’ program is a framework to employ local resources and public participation to improve the community safety and the empowerment of the population which will lead to SDGs. So, there is great potential for local communities to improve the safety of their people. Now, in the last year of the Decade of Action for road safety, we have an opportunity to review our achievements, strengths and weaknesses, and future needs so we can develop an action plan for the second decade that will be more equitable and evidence-based considering the local characteristics. The 24th International Conference on Safe Community gathers us to discuss and share our experiences and scientific achievements. Sharing and learning from other safe communities about road safety improvements provides a great example for local communities to employ a bottom-up approach to prevent road trauma due to road traffic injuries.

Achieving good practice in road safety reform requires a holistic approach, strong partnerships, integrated systems with effective enforcement and education programs. The objective is to influence road user behaviours so as to adopt a culture of safety and an attitude of respect. Respect for self, respect for passengers and importantly, respect for other road users, ensuring safety for all. The International “Safe Systems Approach” provides guidance and direction in improving the road network, vehicle design and road user behaviours. This presentation will provide focus on road user behaviours and particularly high-risk activities. Reform must be founded on a dynamic and active national road safety council endorsed with the political will of government and vested with the power base to direct road safety authorities, a funding base to ensure achievement and all with the common purpose of “saving lives” and towards “Vision Zero”. Altruistic aims must convert to practical and actionable items with realistic performance indicators for all partner agencies. Road safety research withstanding the test of time supports the “deterrence” theory in the practical application through education and enforcement strategies ensuring that drivers are compliant with the legislation and deterred from committing high-risk behavioural offences which jeopardise the lives of themselves and others. To achieve this outcome in a conceptual framework, you must increase the perception ‘anywhere, anytime and for anybody’. If you commit a high-risk offence you will be caught and punished. This perception of being caught and sanctioned is a primary focus in achieving compliance until the community adopts a focus of self-regulation i.e. you wear your seat-belt because of safety, not because of any penalty; you do not speed because it is safer for yourself and others not because of any perceived penalty. This is the end result of impacting on human behaviours in a safe road user environment. This process requires sound, practical and implementable laws to ensure guidance and an effective penalty base. It must be supported by education and enforcement strategies operating to ensure road users understand the rationale for safety restrictions, with enforcement that is swift, effective and meaningful. The enforcement aim is to change road user behaviours to ensure a safety environment. The principles of effective enforcement are: 1. Highly visible and active enforcement (drivers must see visible enforcement); 2. Repeated often (frequency is mandatory); 3. Be fair and consistent (No bargaining, no bribery, no corruption and no special treatments) and; 4. Well publicised (using media and social media to inform, educate and provide awareness). All elements are essential for successful road safety reform. Several good practice interventions will be discussed demonstrating the beneficial outcomes of these strategies. Keywords: Safe Systems Approach, Good Practice, Legislation, Law Enforcement, Driving Behaviour