In this paper, a review of the historical development of road safety education, training and publicity work, a critical evaluation of its impact and suggested future directions is given. Road safety education, training and publicity (ET & P) work has traditionally focussed on vulnerable road users, particularly children, as the main targets for its messages. Apart from their local involvement in national campaigns aimed at drivers, such as "Kill Your Speed. Not a Child", most road safety officers (RSOs) continue to prioritise work with schools, although many now perceive this role as one of facilitator - assisting teachers to incorporate "road safety" into their delivery of the National Curriculum. Recent research assessing the effective ness of traditional rule-based, prescriptive road safety education will be reviewed. In order to understand the rationale behind the aims, objectives and methods which dominate contemporary ET & P work, it is necessary to understand the context within which ET & P practitioners operate: to understand the values and beliefs which inform RSOs and the culture and ethos of the organisations in which they are located. Consideration will be given to alternative/complementary aims (such as equity and rights issues and environmental concerns) and to different measures of effectiveness, such as perceptions of danger. Finally in the light of the above, possible future directions for ET & P work will be explored. The major focus is on shifting responsibility onto drivers, not only via traditional publicity campaigns, but also via adopting community development and health education approac hes to work with local communities and schools and developing strategies for lobbying for change. (A)
Abstract