Safer roads by applying the concept of Sustainable Safety

In the Netherlands, the initial road safety policy was strongly directed at protecting vulnerable road users (logical, because cycling is a major mode of transport in the Netherlands) and hazardous locations, and reducing the most common form of accidents. Consequently, the policy focused on the following central themes (or spearpoints): the elderly, cyclists and moped riders; driving under influence of liquor; use of safety devices (mainly seatbelts, motorcycle helmets and child restraint systems); high speed; heavy goods vehicles; and hazardous locations (blackspots). Towards the end of the 1980s, it became apparent that the spearpoint policy, although initially successful, could by itself not meet the targets set for the long term. A new strategy was needed if the downward trend in road fatalities was to continue. The Institute for Road Safety Research (SWOV) had for a number of years been analysing the road safety situation in the Netherlands and, on the basis of an in-depth analysis, the concept of sustainable safety was launched. Although favourably received on all fronts, the implementation of the programme did not commence till 1998. The principles outlined by the sustainable safety approach have since become the basis for the design and layout of Dutch road infrastructure. However, sustainable safety means more than road infrastructure. It is an integrated approach and includes aspects related to the humans, vehicles, land use, and mobility. Unfortunately, the approach has a drawback in that infrastructure measures are often costly and cannot always be implemented due to space constraints. Phased implementation and a degree of creativity are therefore essential.