This report presents the results of a mail survey of road safety programs undertaken by local government in Victoria in 1998. The aims of the study were to (1) set a base measure to gauge the effectiveness of the Road Safety in Local Government Initiative (2) highlight current road safety activities, and (3) identify opportunities to promote road safety initiatives. The survey had a good response rate and provided general and detailed information about road safety programs undertaken by local government. Road safety was mentioned in the strategic planning documents of about half of the councils who responded. Provision of safe infrastructure was the major focus of road safety in planning and in expenditure terms. Size of the council was a major determinant of its involvement in road safety (rather than metropolitan or regional location), however, among councils of the same size, some were much more involved in road safety than others. Recommendations for the repeat survey are made. A telephone follow-up of 10 councils (7 metropolitan and 3 in regional Victoria) identified a range of road safety initiatives and activities currently undertaken by municipalities and opportunities to promote such initiatives. (A)
Abstract