2.5 ROAD SAFETY AS A DEVELOPMENT PRIORITY
ROAD SAFETY AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GOALS
In international development, road safety is being linked with the broader vision of sustainable development through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDGs are a call to action to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy health, justice and prosperity. Addressing the risk of death and injury in road traffic is fundamental to achieving the SDGs. Within the SDG framework there are two targets that specifically address road safety. However, road safety also has links to many related targets (see Box 2.11)
BOX 2.11: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS FOR ROAD SAFETY
SDG target 3.6: by 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic crashes.
SDG target 11.2: by 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with the special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, people with disabilities and older people.
Road safety also has links to other related targets such as SDG target I on poverty, SDG target 5 on gender equality, and SDG target 8 on decent work and economic growth.
Source: WHO, 2021
The SDGs build on decades of work. In June 1992, at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, more than 178 countries adopted a comprehensive plan of action to build a global partnership for sustainable development to improve human lives and protect the environment. Member State unanimously adopted the Millennium Declaration at the Millennium Summit in September 2000 which led to the elaboration of eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) (the eight MDGs range from halving extreme poverty rates to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education: all by the target date of 2015. They form a blueprint (plan) agreed to by all the world's countries and all the world's leading development institutions) to reduce extreme poverty by 2015 (UN, 2023).
Previously, international development had a narrow focus on income and spending. However, current approaches promote higher living standards for all, with an emphasis on improved health, education and people’s ability to participate in the economy and society. Development seeks to foster an investment climate, which can encourage increased growth, productivity and employment; and to empower and invest in people so that they are included in the process (Stern et al., 2005; Bliss, 2011a).
While no Millennium Development Goal was set for addressing the prevention of deaths and serious injuries in road crashes to 2015, road safety priorities align with other MDGs, particularly for environmental sustainability, public health, and poverty reduction. As the MDGs era came to a conclusion at the end of 2015, the new year ushered in the official launch of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (WHO, 2023).
CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
The key challenge for LMICs and international development is how to successfully implement the Global Plan's recommendations where road safety management capacity is weak. The critical issues for success are:
BOX 2.12: CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
- To build road safety management capacity through institutional reforms.
- To accelerate knowledge transfer and leapfrog previous paradigms.
- To scale-up investment.
- To increase international cooperation and development aid support sustainably.
Source: Bliss & Breen, 2012
Road safety management capacity reviews conducted for the Global Road Safety Facility since 2006 indicate that a clearly defined results focus is often absent in LMICs.
Coordination arrangements should be effective and supporting legislation complete. Funding needs to be sufficient and well targeted, promotional efforts broadly directed, monitoring and evaluation systems developed and knowledge transfer unlimited. Where national targets and plans have been created, adequate capacity to implement them is needed to make sure they are effective (GRSF, 2006-2012).
Sustained investments will be needed in governance and institutions, infrastructure, vehicle fleets, and related investments in the health and wellbeing of citizens to address their vulnerability to risks of death and injury.
Meeting the management challenges of the Decade of Action for Road Safety will require these critical success factors to be addressed, if its ambitious goal is to be achieved (Bliss & Breen, 2012).
A COUNTRY INVESTMENT MODEL FOR BUILDING CAPACITY
Based on reviews of successful as well as unsuccessful practice, the World Bank’s Global Road Safety Facility has produced a country investment model in road safety management guidelines that is designed to assist LMICs and development aid agencies in addressing the issues outlined above (Bliss & Breen, 2009, 2013). These guidelines outline a practical approach designed with tools that are described further in Chapter 3. Safety Management System. Specific guidance on steps to be taken by roads authorities in relation to the safe planning, design, operation and use of the road network is outlined in Part 3. Planning, Design & Operation.