The objectives of this review were as follows: to identify those publications in the world-wide literature on education, publicity and training in road safety that have been based on the results of good research, and to come to conclusions applicable to the Australian context. The important relationship between performance and behaviour was identified: performance relates to skills that can be taught, and behaviour to what a road user actually does on the road. In Australia and elsewhere, education and publicity have been most successful in modifying behaviour when combined with laws that are themselves directly related to safety, and that are strictly enforced. Other good results from education have come from efforts directed at high-risk and receptive groups such as children. Training of controlled groups such as the drivers of heavy vehicles appears to have given some good results. However, no methods of training for drivers or riders have consistently been shown to be better than others, and the results in general have been disappointing. Perception and understanding are likely to be emphasised in training in the future, together with an integrated approach that brings together individual problems.
Abstract