This Steering to Safety Summary Report is a summary of five individual reports conducted as part of an extensive research initiative embracing quantitative, qualitative and observational methodologies. This report provides an empirical profile of collisions which occurred along the border region, the attitude to road safety among the border population North and South and observed behaviour on selected cross border routes. The entire research programme represents Phase 1 of The Steering to Safety Project under the auspices of Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT). It is planned to focus on a range of interventions in line with and in response to the research finding in phase 2. Back in 2002 the CAWT Health Profile found that there was a 33% higher death rate from road traffic collisions than the rest of Ireland. Opinions abound as to why this phenomenon exists but there was a general perception that road users outside their own jurisdictions, be it Northern Ireland or Republic of Ireland tend to be less attentive to rules of the road whilst driving. It was further felt that this risk taking behaviour was compounded by a lack of understanding of the different regulations pertaining in each jurisdiction and perhaps a degree of alienation as a result of the 'Troubles'. Notwithstanding the wide range of hypotheses one significant fact was the health and well-being of people living in the CAWT area was negated by this phenomenon. Given the complexity of cultural environmental, personal and societal determinants which may impact on driver behaviour it was felt a continuum, of studies from across the entire research spectrum would provide an extensive and insightful knowledge base. This in turn could guide evidence based effective interventions in the future. (Author/publisher)
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