This round table contains two reports, one by blanchard,c and systermans,y from france and the other by gabestad,k from norway. The first report outlines the principles of cost-benefit analyses and the theoretical problems of evaluation. A study is presented of the use of cost benefit methods for the "rationalisation of budgetary choice in road safety", a specifically french concept which takes the form of a set of procedures aimed at improving administrative decision making. A pilot study designed for the rational preparation of decisions concerning road accidents is described, together with the aims of the sixth plan's road safety programme and the priority action programme of the seventh plan. One part of the report examines the cost-benefit studies actually carried put in the fields of infrastructure, vehicle, driver training, information and publicity, regulation and control, emergency services, and study and research. The second report examines the direct and indirect costs and benefits of traffic safety improvements from a theoretical angle and gives examples of improvements where economic analyses have been performed: roadway illumination, speed limits, prohibition of crossing against a red signal, mandatory safety belts for the rear seats of light vehicles. This report was published in french under the title: couts et avantages des mesures de securite routiere.
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