Road Safety Advocacy: Strategies for Prevention & Action

1. Road safety: What works? Margie Peden Coordinator, Unintentional Injury Prevention Department of Injuries and Violence Prevention World Health Organization

2. 1.3 million deaths

3. 20-50 million injuries

4. The social cost of road traffic injuries is enormous

6. Road traffic injuries will rise to the 5th cause of death by 2030

7. Most are vulnerable road users

8. Road traffic deaths are increasing in LMICs

9. Road safety should be addressed using a “systems approach” Infrastructure Vehicle Road user

10. Road traffic crashes can be prevented

11. Road safety is a shared responsibility GOVERNMENT & LEGISLATIVE BODIES USERS / CITIZENS MEDIA ROAD INJURY PREVENTION POLICY INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS NGOs, SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS POLICE

12. What can be done?How can NGOs help

13. Someone needs to be in charge • Implementing a lead agency • One department − responsibility − accountability • Funding • National / local strategies − all crash phases • Lobbying by NGOs • For such an organization • For greater focus on road safety in general • Raise funds for road safety • Influence the development of strategies with measurable targets • Remembering the post crash phase

14. Collecting data • Data is essential to understand • Magnitude • Prioritization • Evaluation • NGOs can • Assist multisectoral data collection • Conduct their own specific studies • Assess impact/effectiveness − own programmes • Use science-based data to lobby for • Infrastructural changes • Safety and rights of vulnerable road users • Safer public transportation • Safety around school/urban areas • Personal stories The story of ONE loved one can move an audience much more than statistics without faces!

15. Legislation and education TOGETHER – the example of drinking and driving • What is LESS USEFUL • Education without legislation (billboards!) • Buddy programmes • Alcohol server programmes • Self-testing • School instruction • What WORKS • Minimum drinking age • 0.05 g/dl for general public + enforcement • Lower than that for novice / commercial drivers • Graduated driver licensing systems • Random breath testing / police check points • Alcohol interlocks • Swift and strict penalties • Interventions for problem drinkers • Restricting sales, increasing taxation NGOs should lobby for what works

16. A word on education alone Education is an important tool to shift social norms towards safer behaviour on the road, but is not a stand-alone road safety intervention • Education alone is not a good investment of money • Teaching children to cross the road − important skill − doesn’t prevent injuries − may increase exposure • School-based driver education − Ineffective − Leads to earlier licensing − increased crash risk • No evidence for defensive driving training • Mass media must be focused • Plays, road shows − sensitize

17. Advocating for what works NGOs should lobby for infrastructural changes that focus on high risk groups and work with the local community to implement proven interventions • Law and enforcement of child restraints / seat-belts • Appropriate for child's age/size • Loan schemes for poorer families • Bicycle/motorcycle helmets • Law and enforcement • Helmet standards • Separating road users • Increasing visibility • Reducing speed around schools, play areas • Safer vehicles

18. Victim support • Pre-hospital care • Bystander training • Access number • Acute care − staff − training − equipment • Rehabilitation − access • Victim services • Legal support, justice • Family support groups • Advocacy events • WORLD DAY OF REMEMBRANCE • National events NGO victim groups are best placed to support other survivors and their families, lobby for post crash services and raise awareness through major advocacy events

19. Be the change that you want to see in the world. Mohandas Gandhi http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/road_traffic