Establishing and implementing the safety programme

Several good practice principles can be derived from the broad experience in Europe with the development of road safety programmes and plans. The overall responsibility for the development of the national plan is the Government lead agency for road safety policy.

The preparation phase

• Formulation of vision or philosophy: Ambitious road safety plans require statement and approval of a vision or concept to highlight the need to significantly modify current practices or accelerate the implementation of action already underway. Since many stakeholders are involved, a general consensus on the concept is needed for adoption by Parliament.
• Problem analysis: Analysis of key safety problems needs to be carried out comprising governmental and professional experts.
• Establishing targets: At national regional and/or local levels needs to be conducted at the highest political level with problem analysis, forecasting, proposals for countermeasures and socio-economic appraisals being carried out by professional experts.
• Development of countermeasures: And action plans at national, regional and/or local levels with input from professional expertise. Proposed plans, supported by analysis to identify the best suite of measures, need to be discussed with stakeholders and divergent interests need to be considered.In some countries targets and plans are also established at regional and local; levels. Opportunities for road safety through integrating road safety into other areas of Government policy at national, regional and local levels need to be analysed. This involves discussion and agreement with key Government stakeholders.
• Socio-economic appraisals: Need to be carried out to determine the best use of public resource to meet the objectives.

Implementation, monitoring and evaluation

• Sharing responsibility for implementation: Implementation arrangements include the range of tools, mechanisms and procedures needed to efficiently produce interventions. Managing this element means addressing elements such as funding sustainability, legislative efficacy, multi-sectoral coordination and performance monitoring, which go the heart of organization upon which successful safety programmes are built.
• Tool kit: Developing specific actions utilising a wide range of implementation tools. Pilot and demonstration projects, for example, can be helpful to illustrate the effectiveness of solutions and to foster community support.
• Funding: Sources of funding, funding streams and mechanisms need to be clearly identified for the various elements of the plan.
• Multi-sectoral co-ordination: Multi-sectoral inter-governmental co-ordination is necessary to implement a system-wide road safety plan. Co-ordination involving all levels and stakeholder is essential to avoid duplication.
• Evaluation and monitoring: Periodic reviews of the plan are essential to allow adjustments. Measures need to be monitored and formally evaluated by independent institutions.
• Performance assessment: Organisational performance also needs to be assessed.