Role of governments as consumer/buyer and actor for new developments in this field.

This paper describes a new approach to transport safety policy in the Netherlands, including changes in public and private responsibilities and an outline of a pilot project on safety culture in freight transport. Safety in the national traffic and transport plan centres on reducing fatalities and casualties. Citizens' expectations of safety in transport are based on an assumption of government responsibility, although in reality all participants in the transport process have their own responsibilities. The project on safety culture in the freight transport sector involves best practice in human factors, including not only individual drivers but also managers. Pillars of a safety culture are commitment from management, a safety code, visibility of safety and a learning culture. The Netherlands project concluded that legislation was not the solution to behavioural problems. Important actors include transport companies, government and consumers. Incentives might be a quality mark and standards. This brings a more indirect role in safety culture for government. For the covering abstract see ITRD E118917.