The purpose of this paper is to explore the possibilites of a more fundamental, comprehensive and integrated approach to traffic safety management than hitherto in United Kingdom. The paper opens by outlining a hierarchy of four goals relating to the number, severity, effects and consequences of road traffic accidents. Practical organisational and operational factors are discussed from the standpoint of the Local Authority having statutory responsibility for road safety. The other "actors" are identified (e.g. road users and vehicle designers) and their differing perspectives and aspirations are outlined, leading to a discussion of the possible courses of action open to these other actors. This is followed by an examination of the goals previously identified, seen from the viewpoint of the Local Authority. This in turn suggests a review of a variety of policies currently available to a U.K. Local Authority, ranging from land use decisions at the strategic level to the selection of "repairable" street furniture at the tactical. The problems of analysing and evaluating widely different policies are examined and the paper concludes by outlining the concept of Comprehensive Safety Management as a basis for the development of the Road Safety Plans recommended in the Road Safety Code of Good Practice (IRRD 823660). (A)
Abstract