The use of road safety target setting in fatality and injury reduction

Abstract

The World Health Organisation has predicted that over the next twenty years the total annual global road fatalities will increase rapidly with the greatest proportion occurring in low-income countries. An evaluation of the models used for setting road safety targets in sixteen countries revealed the use of different performance indices. The effectiveness of target setting in high income countries has historically been characterised by a short period of major fatality reduction, followed by longer periods of smaller incremental gains. The intent of the study reported here was to provide an articulated phase approach for improving the road safety of countries with a different historical and economic background to those high income countries studied. It was concluded that while some developed countries are moving towards the phase of smaller incremental gains road fatalities, most of the Asian developing countries are now at the early stages of road safety initiatives. In this phase sustained commitment from governments for implementation of initiatives, data collection and record keeping, and the capacity development of key professionals is vital and has greater potential to reduce major injuries and fatalities.