Formulating and implementing road safety policy …

1 Unit 7. Formulating AND implementing road safety policy 110011 Formulating and implementing road safety policyUNIT 7 Overview Objectives Importance of policy in preventing road traffic injuries policy formulation process Activity Institutional framework The need for a lead agency Sub-national and local institutions Key points Definitions of key concepts Questions to think about References Further reading Notes Trainee s evaluationunit-7 11/3/2006 6:25 PM Page 101unit-7 11/3/2006 6:25 PM Page 102 Overviewormulating and implementing policies isnecessary for improving road will have no effect on road safety unlessthey are implemented. This unit examines theimportance of road safety policy , and thendescribes the basic steps and issues to consider informulating and implementing road safetypolicy. ObjectivesBy the end of this unit, the trainee should able to: explain the importance of developing policiesfor road traffic injury prevention; describe the process of developing a policy forroad traffic injury prevention; discuss the role of a national lead agency indeveloping and implementing policies forroad traffic injury 7.

2 Formulating AND implementing road safety policy 110033 Importance of policy inpreventing road traffic injuriesThe term policy can be interpreted in a variety ofways. Here we consider a national policy on roadsafety to be a written document that provides thebasis for action to be taken jointly by thegovernment and its nongovernmental partners(1).A policy is necessary to (1, 2) : raise awareness and create mutualunderstanding about a situation; articulate ethical and other principles that shouldjustify and guide action; generate a consensus vision on the actions to beundertaken; provide a framework for action; define institutional responsibilities andmechanisms of coordination; secure or raise political commitment; engage a variety of partners; identify measures which are likely to producegood results; monitor progress and effectiveness of formulation processPolicy formulation and implementation is acontinuous process.

3 This process is often presentedas taking place in phases or stages, in order to makeit easier to identify key elements. However, itshould be noted that this process is complex and itdoes not necessarily move in a smooth mannerfrom one step to another. For the sake of systematic presentation andclarification of key issues, we present the processof developing a national policy as taking place inthree phases (Figure ). In Phase 1 the policydevelopment process is being initiated. In Phase 2the policy document itself is being The three phases of the policy developmentprocessSource: reference 11/3/2006 6:25 PM Page 103110044 road TRAFFIC INJURY PREVENTION: TRAINING MANUALF inally, in Phase 3 official approval andendorsement of the policy is being sought. Each ofthe three phases is composed of a number of steps. Important points to note about the processpresented in Figure are as follows: In real life, a policy development process can bemuch more chaotic than the best-case scenarioportrayed here.

4 It may be necessary to jumpahead and come back to a step that ideallyshould have happened earlier on in the process. This process is influenced by social, economicand political factors. Political will and commitment are necessary foreffective policy formulation and implementation. The process takes time, consultation, negotiationand effort. Ensure that key stakeholders are involved in theentire process. Consultation should be conducted with allstakeholders in an open, fair and transparentmanner. Ensure that all the stakeholders approve andendorse the policy document. The very act of developing a policy documentcan bring about significant changes in attitudesand perceptions that can go a long way towardstackling a problem. Implementation of policy is essential once apolicy has been formulated. Implementation of road safety measuresrequires coordinated action. Responsibilities atdifferent levels need to be clearly spelled out.

5 Financial and human resources need to beprovided for implementation. Evaluating policy implementation is provides feedback on how well thepolicy is working and can lead to improvementof the policy frameworkRoad safety work is a complex process involvingdifferent sectors. There is thus a need for afunctional and effective institutional framework forthe development and implementation of policiesand programmes to prevent road traffic need for a lead agencyThough different institutional frameworks arepossible, there is a need to identify a lead agencyin government to guide the national road safetyeffort. The lead agency should have authority andresponsibility to make decisions, controlresources and coordinate efforts by all sectors ofgovernment including those of health,transport, education and the police. This agencyshould have adequate finances to use for roadsafety, and should be publicly accountable for models can be effective in road safetyand each country needs to create a lead agencyappropriate to its own circumstances.

6 Specificefforts should be taken by the agency to engage allsignificant groups concerned with road safety . Thenational road safety agency should be anActivityTaskIs there a national road safety policy and actionplan in your country? If your answer is yes,prepare a one-page summary of the aims, targetsand activities that have been implemented. Whatare the strengths in the policy and plan? What arethe weaknesses in the policy and plan? If there isno policy , what steps do you plan to take toinitiate the process of developing a national roadsafety policy or action plan?Expected resultsThis exercise is meant to assist trainees withreviewing their national road safety policy andaction plan. If possible, the trainees should begiven this question in advance of the trainingsession so that they have time to gather therelevant information. If this is not possible, allowthem answer based on their previous knowledgeand experience.

7 This exercise is meant to gettrainees to think much more deeply about theroad safety policies and action plans in theircountries, and especially about whether or notthese policies and plans are being 11/14/2006 11:56 AM Page 104 Unit 7. Formulating AND implementing road safety policy 110055independent statutory organization attached to, orfunctioning in parallel with the ministry dealing withroad transport, and it should be independent of theroad building agency. The road safety agency shouldhave a chairman of the rank of a minister or principalsecretary to the government of the , communication and collaboration arekey to establishing and sustaining national roadsafety efforts. National efforts will be boosted if oneor more well-known political leaders can activelychampion the cause of road specific tasks of a national lead agency are to (1): manage, coordinate and commission allactivities regarding road safety in the country; advise all arms of the government on all mattersrelating to road safety ; formulate policy , set goals and elaboratestrategies for road safety in the country,including the targeting of particular areas andthe setting of priorities; coordinate between different agencies of thegovernment, research and academic institutions,and nongovernmental organizations; compile and analyse national statistics, andensure that comprehensive data exist for roadsafety planning; set road safety research priorities and fundprojects in those priority areas.

8 Assemble and disseminate information and goodpractice, including sharing research findings,good practice models and experiences withvarious agencies involved in road transport andsafety planning; establish and fund research and teachinginstitutions and centres specifically for work onroad safety or transport and related issues; establish safety standards for roads, roadinfrastructure and vehicles; monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of theroad safety strategies at the central and locallevels; encourage and enable local governments to setup relevant institutional structures; organize regular national conferences on roadsafety; procure sufficient finance for road safety work; coordinate the planning and implementation ofroad safety work, taking into consideration theinterests of society, user groups, trade andindustry, and individuals, as well asenvironmental and local institutionsWhile the national lead agency coordinates theroad safety effort for the entire country, it mayalso be necessary to have sub-nationalinstitutional structures to translate and implementpolicy at the local level.

9 Formal systems need tobe set up in each state or province, and in each cityto coordinate local efforts. Operationalintersectoral programmes can be designed andimplemented every year. These plans andinterventions take into account national prioritiesas well as the local needs identified through theinvolvement of local actors. There could be a road safety agency in everystate or province. The form and structure of suchagencies would vary from country to countrybecause of wide differences in administrative andfinancial structures at the sub-national level. Theprovincial agency, which sets policy for roadsafety in the province, can involve officials fromconcerned departments, as well as representativesof nongovernmental organizations and businessesconcerned with the road transport sector. Theactors involved could include departments ofroads, transport, police, education and health,along with experts from academic and otherresearch provincial agency would take a leadingrole in coordinating the road safety effort of allrelevant agencies and community groups within itsparticular administrative area.

10 These activitiesshould be consistent with the national road safetyplan, and the provincial agency should coordinateactivities across all relevant agencies in thatadministrative 11/11/2006 2:28 PM Page 105110066 road TRAFFIC INJURY PREVENTION: TRAINING MANUALKey points policy formulation and implementation is acontinuous process. This process is often presented as taking place inphases or stages, to make it easier to identify keyelements, but the process is complex and doesnot necessarily move in a smooth manner fromone step to another. There is a need for a functional and effectiveinstitutional framework for development andimplementation of policies and programmes toprevent road traffic injuries. There is a need to identify a lead agency ingovernment to guide the national road safetyeffort. The national lead agency coordinates theroad safety effort for the entire country. It is necessary to have sub-national institutionalstructures to translate and implement policy ,and coordinate activities across all relevantagencies at the local of key concepts policy : a set of principles guiding decision-making, providing a framework against whichproposals or activities can be tested or measured(1).