Multi-sectoral co-ordination

Many government departments share responsibility for road safety – Transport, Health, Justice, Education, Employment, Finance - but unless special arrangements are put in place, achieving accountability, appropriate co-ordination and realizing the full potential of individual sectoral responsibilities is difficult [47].

The component problems of road traffic injury are diverse and meaningful institutional collaboration within Government needs to take place to adopt a system-wide strategy and achieve programme integration of the (sometimes competing) development, environment, accessibility, equity and safety objectives of national/regional governments.

In some countries, aided by the lead agency, a high level multi-sectoral co-ordinating body has built institutional capacity and partnerships for the delivery of road safety both inside and outside Government; help to establish a national long–term vision for road safety; devising and implementing strategy, setting targets - for final and intermediate road safety outcomes; devising road safety action plans which also integrate road safety into other policies such as land-use, health and environment and advise on resource allocation and monitoring.

Good practice indicates that the responsibilities and accountabilities of the Governmental co-ordinating body need to be clearly set out, as well as those of the participating Government Departments. High-level representation is essential, as are arrangements for good technical support and a separate secretariat.