Workshop Recommendations

Workshop Objectives 

To share and learn from the successful practices world wide, the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE) organized a three day International Workshop on “Road Safety Education for Developing Countries” on January 10-13, 2007 at Habitat Center in New Delhi, India.This Workshop was sponsored by the Department of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India. The primary focus of the workshop agenda and delegates discussion was aimed at protecting the vulnerable road users by devising various ways and practices to implement measures for road safety education suitable for developing countries.

The Workshop and the International Film Road Safety Film Festival  were organized by IRTE in association with the global partners, which included The Global Transport Knowledge Partnership (gTKP), The Task Force for Child Survival & Development, USA , Global Road Safety Partnership, International Road Federation (IRF), Asia Injury Prevention Foundation, Vietnam, The World Bank, Delhi Traffic Police, University of Birmingham and Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, U.K., and Laser Europe, France.
 
The workshop was well attended by over 40 international delegates, 55 representatives from the transport, police, health, and education departments; leading Non Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) working for road safety and delegates from other related institutes.

Participants reviewed current practices on preventing road traffic injuries and stressed that the basic strategy through which these tragedies can be reduced should include road safety awareness and education, and supporting policies and programs in developing countries. This strategy should be comprehensive and cover all sections of the society including the vulnerable road users such as school children, pedestrians, cyclists, two wheeler riders, old and disabled in addition to motor drivers and those involved in governance including the politicians.
Delegates also discussed the scale of road safety: Globally 1.2 million fatalities occur from road traffic collisions each year (an average of 3,300 fatalities daily), and over 20 million persons get injured or disabled. Roads in developing countries are slowly becoming death traps accounting for an alarming eighty eight percent of these deaths and injuries, majority of which are vulnerable road users including pedestrians, bicyclists, occupants of non motorized transport and two wheeler riders

Keeping the agenda focus of “road safety education” in mind, the delegates have proposed the recommendations for further review and actions by appropriate parties concerned.

Workshop Recommendations

The following recommendations (in no particular order) are based on the workshop sessions presentations, papers, and discussions by the international delegates. Each of the recommendations also suggests a specific overall action that may help implement the recommendation.

Recommendation 1:  Develop/Implement Road Traffic Safety Program & Policy

Road traffic safety education suitable for developing countries should be viewed as a cluster of activities necessary to support awareness in the following fields: 

• Institute road & scientific traffic engineering practice
• Implement professional driver training and testing by approved organizations
• Develop program and materials to improve road user awareness
• Implement program for scientific accident investigation & analysis
• Focus on safe vehicle design, manufacturing & maintenance
• Craft road traffic legislation and framework for statewide and regional applicability
• Develop technology-based traffic control system and & enforcement
• Develop and implement post crash (accident) management
• Develop  road environment protection programs

Suggested Action: Institute “Road Traffic Safety Council” and develop a “Road Safety Manual” which includes policy measures and covers applicable areas from the above disciplines.

Recommendation 2:  Create Dedicated Special Funding at State Government Level

Road safety program without policy and dedicated funding cannot deliver results and no meaningful activities can be supported on a wider scale. Therefore, a state level fund should be set up.

Specific Action: Set up a state (province) level dedicated road safety fund that cannot be redirected for other purposes.

Recommendation 3:  Develop Requirements for School Education (Materials/Books) Teaching Systems and Curriculum

A education programmes should normally be targeted for children of standard 6 onwards. Education should demonstrate the reality of hazards in road traffic in respective

regions/countries. Education should be supported with requirements of law, standards and ethics.

It is also recommended that safety education should be catalyzed through the basis of the hidden curriculum in all respective subjects of the curriculum. The ‘School Conclave’ programme successfully developed and implemented by the IRTE is a recommended example.

For children below the 6th standard, only awareness programmes should be targeted demonstrating the hazards of road traffic and the need for protection and supervision.

Suggested Action: Institute training for road safety education instructors in schools and they should be certified by proper authority. All tools, materials and school curriculum should be deliberated upon and certified.

Recommendation 4: Design Roads with “Safety for Vulnerable Road Users” in Mind

It is observed that almost 85 % of the roads users injured and killed in road accidents in developing countries are vulnerable road users. Therefore authorities responsible for design, execution and maintenance of roadway infrastructure for the vulnerable users including pedestrians, cyclists, disabled, old and very young as well as two wheelers should be educated and made responsible for their safety.

Education for vulnerable road users should begin and be made available at the very source of their residence or work.

The ‘Road safety education for villages on highways” demonstrated by the IRTE is a positive example and can be replicated.

Suggested Supplimentary Action: Train road planners and designers. They must be sensitive to design of roads with safety of vulnerable road users at heart. Important to involve village councils while dealing with highways passing through respective villages.

Recommendation 5: Institute Driver Training & Management (Include Two Wheeler Safety Initiatives) 

It has been observed that scientific driver training and testing is lacking in developing countries. It is also observed that a large percentage of drivers of heavy vehicles, as well as three wheeler auto rickshaws and taxis come from background where literacy levels are very low. It therefore becomes the responsibility of the authorities to develop tools and system of driver training which would support driving schools in bringing the required education to these drivers.

The tools and systems should such interactive with visuals, pictures and photographs which could bring home the point of the hazards on road and the requirements under law and legislation for safer driving.

In developing countries like India almost 60 % of the motorized traffic is two wheelers. It is also observed that two wheelers riders hardly go for any formal training for it is very easy to steer on to the road, but at same time they do not get information of the rules and legislation of the road. It is recommended that the two wheelers automobile manufacturers and dealers as well as government should take initiatives in developing driving schools and training materials for two wheeler riders.

It is also observed that in developing countries like India the legislation of road traffic is the Motor Vehicle Act and there is no uniform legislation for non- motorized traffic. The pullers of cycle rickshaws, hand carts and animal driven carts etc. have no basis of any training and these non motorized transports also operate on same important major roads as were the motorized traffic operates. It therefore becomes responsibility of the users as well as the authorities to make sure of that these pullers and riders are also trained on the basic knowledge of hazards and rules of the road. Schools using cycle rickshaws should take the responsibility of training the cycle rickshaws for example. Goods carriers who use animal driven, animal pulled vehicles and hand carts should be responsible for supporting them in such training.

Specific Action: Implement an organized effort at appropriate level to institute professional driver training and make drivers responsible from the beginning of their involvement on roads.
Training for pullers and riders of non-motorised vehicles should be given due recognition and should be organised through non-governmental involvement to start with.

Recommendation 5: Helmet Safety

Helmet use for road safety is key observation of these delegates.  Promotion of wearing standardized helmets is very crucial for the safety of two wheeler riders and co-riders. Promotion of helmet usage through effective films and messages should be done in different languages to make the vulnerable riders aware of the hazards of brain/head injury by not using helmets.

Advertisements and awareness materials should dispel the fears and anomalies of wearing helmets. Helmet manufacturers should be made aware of problem faced by users including climatic conditions-so that such designs should be introduced which are rider friendly.

Awareness campaigns should also be targeted at the politicians, in building political will to enforce the helmet wearing legislation.

Specific Action: The helmet manual released by the WHO is an effective tool of promotion and must be effectively used by all stakeholders. Statewide campaign should be conducted to promote helmet use. Helmet wearing laws should become mandatory, and be strictly enforced.

Recommendation 6: Fleet Safety & Driver Management 

Fleet operators should take all initiatives in initiating drivers training programmes, especially post license drivers training courses to be imparted  not only to their drivers but to all those who serve them directly or indirectly. Corporations from across the world have actually demonstrated the rate of success. Fleet training should be promoted by the governments by giving special incentives to fleet owners in arranging such  training programmes.

Recommendation 7: Implement Public Private Partnerships for Road Traffic Safety  

Road transport safety should rest on the shoulders of all agencies, governments, businesses and individuals who benefit directly or indirectly from the safer road transportation.
 
Specific Actions:
Government: To be responsible for legislation, enforcement & monitoring.  Establishing partnership with NGOs and civil society, to bring together diverse resources and working groups at national, state and local level, should Fund studies, training, progrmmes, etc.

Industry: Should Introduce strong, no-tolerance corporate policies against drinking and driving, spread message of safe, healthy, responsible living and life-styles through various ad and media campaigns, Support local enforcement agencies in technology up gradations, training and enforcement programmes, etc.

NGO’s/Institutions: Coordinate with the government to develop whitepaper/recommendations for modifying regulation/law if needed, impress upon the govt. for strong action and implementation of the law, establishing a network, support the government in all missing areas of driver training, post accident management, victims support & rehabilitation, public education etc.

Civil Society: Abide by the law, Pursue informed advocacy with policy makers for implementation of law. Educate peer groups on consequences of violation of law, Perform a watchdog function to monitor the implementation of law.

Recommendation 8: Road Environment Safety 

Specific Action: Policy makers at all levels of governments should consider that the work they do in developing a sound road safety policy will allow the country to promote their national development by providing safe transport to deliver mobility, accessibility and economic productivity. Therefore government must institute a directive to this effect.

Recommendation 9: Implement Scientific Road Traffic Management Practice

Developing countries need to introduce scientific traffic and safety management programmes.  The increasing amount of roads being built and increased motorization in developing countries has necessitated a scientifically based traffic management system for congestion management, mobility and road safety.  Without such step, economic losses are staggering and poor state of road safety exists in developing countries.  Significant traffic management knowledge and practices have developed by international partners and their willingness to help developing countries should be considered.

Specific action: Develop an implement local and regional traffic engineering centers which help manage traffic and coordinate safety among all concerned parties, including designers, police and managers.

Recommendation 10: Develop and Conduct Road Safety Audit with Road Design  

Road education programs should support safe road environment by encouraging standards-based road design, roadside care and measures that eliminate potential hazards. Properly designed roads will “prevent’ significant numbers of road mishaps and will improve driving experience. Road safety audit should be considered as a major checklist for identifying defects, constraints, potential hazards and obstructions to motion and sight, and suggesting remedial measures. Road safety should be coordinated with vehicle industry to create awareness of underlying causes of failures, and research actions to rectify unsafe design factors. Smart cars that adjust safety needs should be encouraged.

Specific action: Require by law or rule that every road project must develop and conduct a road design safety audit during road construction projects.

 Recommendation 11: Identify Road Safety Champions

Road safety program lacks champions in every localities, state/city and country, along the line IRTE in India. These dedicated people and organizations will foster and create awareness among all concerned parties.

Specific action:  Contact states and localities and government organizations to establish local chapters and create awareness.  

Recommendation 12: Develop a National Accident Data Standard and Analysis Format

There is no database from which researchers and users can develop applications and share with others. Without common data format and real-time data updated on a regular basis, information process suffers grossly. This also applies to GOI data on highways and accidents.

Specific action: Develop Indian Data Standard and format and establish a central data repository for sharing and analysis tools. Engage universities and research organizations in this effort.

Recommendation 13: Involving National Media’s in Creating Road safety Awareness

At present, media plays a very little role in creating public awareness on critical national and local issues affecting road safety and road user’s behavior. Media has many forms to reach out to public and all ages of road users. Therefore, if properly used, road safety campaigns involving schools and other civic bodies will be well supported by local coverage

Specific action:   Local police organizations and IRTE/other research organisations should form a working group to develop media strategy and their involvement in conducting national and local road safety campaigns.

Recommendation 14: Create Traffic Laws and Enforcement

At present, Road Traffic Violations are on the rise in most parts of India and scientific based enforcement is practically missing in most cities.  Traffic laws need updating to reflect current situations and vehicle mix present in most cities. Laws and their enforcement should be synchronized with traffic violations, road signs, markings and signals and other traffic control devices. Police organizations and experts on traffic laws should work together to develop strategy and rules.

Specific action:   Local police organizations and IRTE should form a working group to develop enforcement laws and rules strategy. IRTE should lead this task with help from International Organizations and experts.

Recommendation 15: Develop Method and Practice for Post Crash Management     

It is strongly felt that road safety can only be improved when we understand the causes and consequences of road accidents/collisions so as to work out remedial measures.

After a collision occurs it is important to obtain and record all the physical evidence and information relating to the collision before any such evidence is destroyed/ tampered with or lost due to the traffic and other external variables.

Evidence collection includes measurement and description of tyre marks and debris, location of post collision position of vehicles and victims as well as damage to the vehicles etc and street furniture. It is also important to record road and weather conditions, condition and operation of traffic control devices and street lights etc.

For example, IRTE has taken the initiative to set up the Second Mobile Accident Investigation & Road Safety Reconnaissance Laboratory, with a vision to revolutionize scientific collision investigation in the country and to support the police and other investigating authorities in determining the actual causes and consequences of such collisions. These accident cases which are reconstructed also form the basis for training motorists, police, traffic engineers and other road users.

Specific Action:  A scientific practice for crash investigation should be made mandatory and gradually introduced to benefit from technology, procedures and data gathering, all currently lacking in most developing nations.

Recommendation 16: Develop Capacity Building Program

There are two needs in this area: First, with Capacity Building efforts, our institutions must be sensitized and nurture to produce road safety culture and conduct Road Safety Audits (RSA) on regular basis in all road and highway activities. Designers and planners must be brought to adhere to RSA and be held accountable for proper practice. Savings lives and reduced injuries are directly tied to effective RSA and it has been demonstrated by developed nation’s practices.

Specific action:   Capacity building practices should be encouraged along the experiences of developed nations. This should include both institutions and also individual development with proper set of KSAs-Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.

Develop RSA framework for use in India and other developing countries and be mad a requirement to be included in all road projects.

Recommendation 17: Make Political Commitment to National Road Safety Strategy

Road traffic safety is a national issue to be prioritized by the Parliament and the Government along the lines most developed and some developing countries are doing to improve safety. Without government focus, meaningful progress cannot be made. A political commitment once established, can be translated into an effective National Road Safety Strategy.

Specific Action: Make a political commitment by an act of parliament and government. Devise a national strategy for road safety improvements.

Recommendation 18: Provide Better Medical Help at Roadsides

Roadside medical help will save many lives and will help in minimizing damaged to humans along all levels of injuries at the crash sites. A roadside dedicated patrol with medical help should form a Highway Patrol Program in metro areas and in rural environment.

Specific action:    Develop mobile Help Vehicles with medical help and associate with local hospitals for quick response and medical attention to victim, .Non Government support in this area would be most meaningful.

Recommendation 19: Build Road Safety Culture in Civic Duties and Responsibilities

This recommendation is based on a very strong sentiment at this conference. It was felt that without understanding of the civic responsibilities an average citizen does not respond well to the need road safety culture.

Civic sense is largely absent and teaching road safety is difficult. For better results, we must find ways to combine both, civic sense and road safety culture.

Specific action:   Undertake a Civic Education program and create awareness by engaging roadside population and also users in urban areas.

Recommendation 20: Improve Coordination among Partners for Better Road Safety

Road safety is every one’s business. Keeping that in mind, we must engage all who can help in this task. Both public and private sector organizations must be brought together by better coordination and program development. Road safety should be a common theme in activities in manufacturing sector –better vehicle designs to meet safety needs more appropriate to India and other developing countries with narrow roads and significant roadside activities.

Specific action:    Forge alliances with manufactures, road designers, planners and operators and share road safety experiences and bring knowledge from developed nations to enhance efforts.

A national body should be set up for coordinating road safety efforts, education and research. 

CONFERENCE RESOLUTION

The Conference concluded with a session called “Stakeholders Forum “ approved by consensus of all the participants a Delhi Declaration was framed in which the participants:

1. Declared that it is both urgent and important that all the nations of the Asian region work together to stop the growing epidemic of deaths and injuries on our roads.  Road safety must become a health, transportation, law enforcement, education, and development priority for our nations and the region. 
2. Urged all nations of the region to implement the recommendations of the World Report and to use this as the framework for addressing road safety nationally, regionally, and globally.  Attention must be paid to the principle risk factors identified in the World Report: lack of safe infrastructure, non-use of seat-belts and child restraints, non-use of helmets, alcohol use, and excessive speed.
3. Urged that resources be committed to road safety commensurate with the need and magnitude of the problem.  Development banks should lead the way by requiring that at least 10% of their investments for road infrastructure development be applied to road safety programs.  The final results should be audited by independent parties using objectively constructed road safety audits or road assessment programs.
4. Urged that resources be committed to the World Bank Global Road Safety Facility by the industrialized nations so that the Facility can reach a total investment of at least (US) $300,000,000 by 2015 so that there will be funds available to the countries in the region to develop road safety management capacity, catalyze increased investment, and accelerate knowledge transfer.  

5. Committed to work together to develop a regional coalition that will:
1. Represent all relevant sectors of government, civil society, and the private sector,
2. Promote a region-wide approach to road safety
3. Strengthen the capacity to collect, use, and share road safety information throughout the region,
4. Promote harmonization of laws for road and vehicle safety, and
5. Share road safety information and best practices across the region.

Committed to mobilize the active participation of regional ministers of transportation,  health, law enforcement, education, and others to set and achieve measurable targets for road safety and traffic-injury prevention in the states of the region.

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