Practical implementation of the Safe System and Vision Zero at the operational level
Practical implementation of the Safe System and Vision Zero at the operational level
Emma Kelly, Road Safety Support's Development, PR and Advocacy Manager
Road safety is a critical concern that affects everyone - even if they know it or not, from policymakers to everyday road users. The media and, indeed, the road safety community often focus on the KSI statistics, which we probably all know off by heart – 1.19 million people lose their lives, while approximately 20-50 million people suffer non-fatal injuries, many of which lead to long-term disabilities. These are not just numbers; they represent families torn apart, communities impacted, and lives irrevocably changed.
Despite the progress made, the global road safety situation remains precarious. The leading cause of death among children and young adults aged 5-29 years-old is traffic injuries. Despite only having 60% of the world’s vehicles, low-and middle income countries bear a disproportionate burden, accounting for over 90% of global road traffic deaths. We too, in the UK, are aware that our progress has now slowed dramatically, and we need to raise our game. Having a national target is something we, at RSS, have been discussing and advocating for. We know other stake-holders share the same views.
National road safety targets or not, we can still develop local / regional targets and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). We should not hold back from forging forward, working efficiently and effectively with plans in place.
The Safe System approach and Vision Zero have gained significant traction globally, especially in the context of the UN’s Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030. While high-level strategies and policies are essential, practical implementation at the operational level is where the real change occurs. The theme of this conference – ‘Strategy into Action’ – is particularly relevant in today’s context. Last year’s conference focused on the importance of strategy. This year we are looking at how to translate these visionary frameworks into tangible actions, how to influence public policy positively, and how failure can serve as a catalyst for improvement in road safety and an opportunity to learn. Ultimately, we want to translate strategy into action, to move from ideas to implementation and to ensure that our roads become safer for all.
Understanding the Safe System and Vision Zero
The Safe System approach is grounded in the belief that human life and health are paramount. It acknowledges that human errors are inevitable and designs the road system to be forgiving, so that mistakes do not result in fatalities or serious injuries. This involves integrating safer roads, safer vehicles, safer speeds, and safer road users while ensuring post-crash care is accessible and effective.
Vision Zero emphasises the shared responsibility between system designers (government, planners, etc.), civil society and road users, focusing on changing behaviour to reduce risks.
Effective enforcement of traffic laws is essential to deterring dangerous behaviours, such as speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and distracted driving. However, enforcement alone is not enough, it must be integrated into a broader strategy that includes public education, infrastructure improvements, vehicle safety standards and emergency response systems. Operational / tasking plans should be put in place, so each individual knows what they are working towards - the KPI. The strategy and operational / action plan must work in tandem.
The transition from strategy into action is often the most challenging phase of any initiative or project. It requires not only technical expertise, but also political will, stakeholder collaboration and a clear understanding of the local context.
1. Political Commitment and Leadership
Effective road safety enforcement requires strong political leadership. It is essential to secure the commitment of policymakers at the highest levels to prioritise road safety and allocate the necessary resources. Leadership is needed to drive the integration of road safety into broader public policies, such as urban planning, health, and education.
2. Stakeholder Collaboration
Road safety is a shared responsibility. It involves a wide range of stakeholders, including government agencies, law enforcement, the private sector, civil society, and the general public. Collaboration among these stakeholders is crucial for developing and implementing effective road safety strategies. This conference highlights successful multi-stakeholder collaborations. Just look around, we have delegates from police forces, local and national government, suppliers, and stakeholders. It is only through working in partnership that we will have real-world impact. Road Safety Support’s mission is to save lives whilst delivering justice to those who flout the law. We will continue to work in partnership with you, our members, and our stakeholders, to ensure that together we achieve our collective aim of reducing road death and injury.
3. Capacity Building and Training
To effectively enforce traffic laws and implement road safety measures, we must ensure that our law enforcement officers, and other stakeholders, have the necessary skills and knowledge. This includes training in modern enforcement techniques, understanding the latest road safety technologies, and learning from best practices around the world. This is something Road Safety Support, and our sister organisation Road Safety Support International, pride ourselves on. This year, RSSi was bestowed the prestigious King’s Award for the road safety work we do internationally, including training, developing, and reviewing enforcement capabilities. We are here to help, to guide and to be a critical friend when required.
4. Data-Driven Decision Making
Reliable data is the foundation of effective road safety strategies. We must invest in improving data collection, analysis, and reporting to identify high risk areas, monitor the effectiveness of interventions, and make informed decisions. Data on each police force area across the UK is available for RSS members to access. Data-driven approaches enable us to evaluate the impact of enforcement measures and adjust our strategies as needed. Moving to a more proactive approach with our data analysis is vital. Look at the super work that Joy Atkin and the team at BCH are carrying out. We also need to look at other pre-emptive ways to detect hazards and risks, e.g., Vision Zero safe streets’ analysis and autonomous vehicle readiness safety assessments.
5. Public Awareness and Education
Enforcement alone cannot change behaviour. Public awareness campaigns and education interventions are essential to complement enforcement efforts. These initiatives should aim to change attitudes towards risky behaviours and promote a culture of safety on the roads. Whilst this has become more difficult to achieve in recent years due to financial constraints, I would encourage members to share their campaigns via the RSS members’ area. If you are looking at implementing a specific campaign, don’t forget you can use the RSS members’ forum as a way to glean vital information in a safe space. We are happy to help and guide where we can, using our communications and marketing expertise.
6. Technological Innovation
Advances in technology offer new opportunities for enhancing road safety enforcement. Automated enforcement systems, intelligent traffic management, and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, are just a few examples of how technology can be leveraged to improve road safety. This conference will showcase how they integrate into existing enforcement frameworks though some of the presentations and our exhibitors.
Influencing Road Safety Public Policy
To achieve the goals set by the Safe System and Vision Zero, it is essential to influence public policy positively. We need to think about:
Advocacy and Lobbying
Road safety advocates can play a crucial role in lobbying for stronger safety regulations. By presenting compelling data and human stories, they can push for legislative changes, such as stricter drink and drug drive laws, vehicle safety standards e.g., General Safety Regulations or speed limit changes.
Collaborative Governance
Engaging multiple stakeholders, including local governments, law enforcement, public health agencies, and civil society, can create a holistic approach to road safety, developing innovative solutions and challenging general convention.
Public Accountability
Holding policymakers accountable through public scrutiny, media coverage, and transparent reporting, will help to ensure that road safety is seen as a priority. We need to monitor progress and push for continuous improvements. This is why it is important to set KPIs and monitor against these. Benchmarking can also be of use. It can also be useful to have independent / fresh eyes to look at what you are implementing.
Incentivising Safety
National and local government can incentivise road safety through grants, subsidies, or recognition programmes. For example, Local Authorities can access funding for high-risk roads in England.
Learning from Failure to Improve Road Safety
While no one desires failure, it is an inevitable part of any ambitious initiative. When road safety interventions do not achieve what they set out to do, it is essential to conduct a thorough analysis of what went wrong. Failure should be seen not as a setback but as an opportunity to learn and improve. For example, if a road safety campaign fails to reduce speeding in a particular area, analysing why it failed, (e.g., poor messaging, lack of enforcement), can lead to more effective strategies in the future.
Similarly, if a new road design does not achieve the expected safety outcomes, it provides valuable insights into what changes are needed. More importantly, when these setbacks occur, it should be shared, so that others do not journey down the same path (no pun intended).
Failure can also serve as a wake-up call, prompting stronger action from stakeholders who may have become complacent or over-cautious to risk. In this way, setbacks can be transformative, driving progress towards safer roads.
Conclusion
Our work here is not just about preventing collisions; it is about saving lives. Every strategy we discuss, every action we take, and every decision that we make has the potential to prevent a tragedy.
The Safe System and Vision Zero frameworks provide a clear roadmap for improving road safety, but their success depends on practical, on-the-ground implementation. By focusing on data driven decision making, infrastructure improvements, vehicle safety, behavioural change, and effective post-crash response, we can make significant strides toward the goal of zero fatalities.
However, we need our strategies to have specific action plans, that will lead to decisions that will have real, tangible results. Moreover, influencing public policy through advocacy, collaboration, and accountability is essential for sustaining long-term progress. Even when efforts fall short, failure can be a powerful teacher, leading to better outcomes in the future.
As we look to the future, let us remember the words of Winston Churchill: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” With determination and collaboration, we can overcome challenges and create a safer world for all road users.
