Since the mid-1990s several jurisdictions have implemented the safe system approach to road safety while setting ambitious targets for reduction in the road toll. More recently the principles of this system have been applied in Australia and are also being considered in New Zealand. This approach acknowledges that the limits to human performance mean that road user error is inevitable. Given that driver error will occur it is vital to reduce the seriousness of the consequences. There is considerable flexibility in the interpretation of the safe system approach suggesting that the details are of importance to the effectiveness of the approach. Setting priorities for interventions after taking into account the behavioural response to these changes will maximise the effectiveness. Implementation of this approach to achieve reduction in the road toll requires ongoing effort. It is also proposed that a broad conception of the system approach to crash causation, one which accounts for social and institutional values, should be encouraged and promoted across the many agencies involved with implementation. (a) For the covering record of the conference, please refer to ITRD no. E218380.
Abstract