Research sector

Rational decision-making in public policy is dependent on impartial research and information and developing research capacity nationally is a key element of good road safety management [47]. The research sector has a key role examining the causes of road crashes and injuries, the development of effective countermeasures and in leading the national road safety evaluation. The principal funding source for road safety research in European and national government.

In the public sector, road safety research has sat traditionally within the public sector, in transport and, until the 10-15 years, principally within Government. Few countries have well-developed national road safety research strategies. Good practice indicates that:

• Multi-disciplinary road safety research safety should form part of a national research strategy with a dedicated Government budget;
• Appropriate levels of human and public financial resource need to be invested in a national road safety research programme. National and community research – as opposed to relying solely on international research – is important for identifying local problems and localized groups at increased risk of road injury;
• Separation of the research and evaluation functions from the operational aspects of road safety management gives independence and credibility to public policy research.

In Europe, the Forum of European Road Safety Research Institutes [26], the Passive Safety Network [58] and the European Enhanced Vehicle Safety Committee (EEVC), have comprised the principal road safety research networks over the last decade. FERSI’S mission is to :

• Provide a forum for developing collaborative research projects aimed at producing solutions to common road safety problems within European countries;
• Provide support to the European Commission in defining research needs within Europe;
• Encourage the exchange of good practice and research knowledge between countries and
• Encourage closer co-operation and, where appropriate, the exchange of researchers between countries.

Given the key role played by the European Union in supporting research, specialist networks from across Europe have come together in a variety of road safety projects SafetyNet list. At national level, best practice countries in Europe have very well-developed independent research capacity comprising national research institutes and university departments. International Governmental collaboration in research and technical matters if further pursued within OECD and the Permanent International Association of Road Congresses.