Foreword
DRIVERS, vehicle designers and highways engineers all have a crucial role to play in achieving the ultimate goal of zero road casualties...
Ashley Martin
That is why RoadSafe is backing the so-called ‘safe system approach’, which ensures that, in the event of a crash, impact energies remain below the threshold likely to produce either death or serious injury.
The approach, highlighted in the magazine with publication of a report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, is central to RoadSafe’s philosophy as it addresses all elements of the road transport system in an integrated way to improve safety.
Undoubtedly drivers are the weakest link in the transport chain – unpredictable and capable of error. However, as highlighted in the following pages through comprehensive education and information programmes, business have been able to reduce crash risk.
Meanwhile, Volvo has set 2020 as the deadline for manufacturing ‘uncrashable’ cars. The manufacturer says it is working on a range of advanced safety systems that will guarantee occupants against death or injury in road crashes.
Reducing, death and injury on the roads requires acceptance of shared overall responsibilities and accountability. An increasing numbers of fleets are taking their responsibilities seriously and with the cost-savings available through a co-ordinated risk management programme, the onset of recession should result in more businesses implementing occupational road risk management measures.
Manufacturers, as RoadSafe regularly highlights, are playing their part with improved safety features, which leaves highways engineers to design a road system to ‘expect and accommodate human error’.
Evidence suggests that investment in improved signage, lines, kerbing and barriers have a crucial and costeffective role to play in cutting road crash casualties. The ‘safe system approach’ has been proven to work in other countries. It can work in Britain.
Zero road casualties is undoubtedly an ambitious target, but through innovative interventions and partnerships involving the triumvirate of drivers, vehicle manufacturers and road engineers progress to the Holy Grail – safe drivers, safe vehicles and safe roads – can be achieved.
Ashley Martin, Editor