National Government – lead agency

National governmental bodies and government agencies comprise transport and land use planning organizations, the roads authority, vehicle certification and licensing authorities; driver licensing and testing authorities; health standards authorities, police authorities, education authorities and the inter-governmental co-coordinating organizations.

The lead Government agency for road safety can be a stand-alone agency such as the former Land Transport Safety Authority in New Zealand or a lead department of Government, which is usually the Department of Transport in most European countries.

Experience to date shows that, whatever the organizational structure, it is important that the lead role should be clearly defined; should include a coordinating role, should comprise well trained staff in several disciplines and should be accepted by key organizations. Moreover, it should be supported by a multi-disciplinary coordinating body with clear definitions of inter-sectoral responsibility and institutional accountability fostered by the use of visions and targets.

At national level, good practice indicates that the lead organization in co-operation with the coordinating body (which in some countries is designated as the lead agency) and local and regional authorities are responsible for:

• Championing road safety across Government and society;
• Developing the results management framework for the targeted national road safety strategy;
• Setting out a legislative framework for the conditions for the entry of vehicles and users to the network; securing compliance with these and assessing performance across many sectors. This includes specifying vehicle, driver and rider age limits for access to the system, speed and alcohol limits; mandating seat belt and helmet use; establishing the Highway Code etc.
• Funding and implementing system-wide interventions;
• Creating sustainable bi-lateral partnerships with key stakeholders;
• Ensuring appropriate levels of technical staff to deliver programmes and providing for training.

Management of road infrastructure safety

Covers regulations, standards and best practice guidelines, information and research that governs or contributes to the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of the roadway and roadside. National, regional and local highway authorities have responsibilities for different parts of the road network. Monitoring of the network is necessary on a regular basis through crash analysis and investigation and risk assessment. Road safety audit programmes which check on the safety aspects of new work or major improvements have proved to be effective. Road safety engineering activity in many countries is supported by a range of professional engineering organizations, research and consultancy bodies.

Management of vehicle safety

At national level covers vehicle certification, testing and inspection, research and monitoring and contributing to work in EU or UN ECE organizations where the setting of standards for most new vehicles is agreed. Several national governments in Europe participate in the European New Car Assessment Programme.

Management of road user safety

Nationally involves setting and enforcing the conditions for road use and providing information to all road users. The educational component is often carried out by national non-governmental organizations and local authorities.