YEARS Management Camp 27th October 2016 Lobbying local authorities … for better road safety results YEARS Management Camp 27th October 2016 Ilyas Daoud Project Manager European Transport Safety Council

Human factor is influencing the other factors not the other way around Road safety factors Human factor is influencing the other factors not the other way around Human Vehicle Road Traditionally are three factors influencing road safety… “It's Not The Car That Drives Itself Into a Tree” Our change in road safety today will start from humans and how to change their … mentality

Instruments to change human behavior Towards safe behavior Instruments to change human behavior Communication Legal measures Educational measures Psychological measures Technical measures Legal measures: their success depends on the nature of their obligation and on mentalities Technical measures which oblige the road user to adopt a certain type of behavior Psychological measures: change the behavior by mental and/or emotional meaning Education is to be used either to educate the road users to respect the traffic rules always explaining to them why is that important, either to educate the local officials on issues that they do not have the time or the resources to become experts on. In combination have multiplier as well as cumulative effects

Lobbying as an advocacy tool Communication tools Lobbying as an advocacy tool

What is advocacy? Advocacy means any action geared towards changing the policies, positions or programs of any type of institution. Advocacy is about identifying a problem in a community, coming up with a solution to that problem, establishing strong support for that solution and providing an effective implementation plan.   Lobbying influential people for support is part of the advocacy process

What is lobby about ? Lobbying is one of the most common methods used by citizens to influence public policy. It is used to put pressure on politicians. Local officials are more committed in considering community’s concerns when they realize that community cares about issues important to them. Lobbying is an advocacy tool Lobbying is one of the most common methods used by citizens to influence public policy. It is used to put pressure on politicians One important way to affect public policy is to engage in lobbying, or direct contact with law makers in an attempt to influence specific legislation. and government officials to take up the interests of the people and to support their cause

Be aware of… Understanding the real meaning of Lobby or Advocacy In some countries these terms are very new and often used to cover illegal activities and the legal term of that is Traffic of Influence But in fact… the advocacy it is and should be understood as a legitimate voice of the community. has been often used the term "undue influence peddling" as to refer to illegal acts of lobbying. In some other cases is just an excessive zeal

What is traffic of influence? Influence peddling or traffic of influence is the illegal practice of using one's influence in government or connections with persons in authority to obtain favors or preferential treatment for another, usually in return for payment. Is a form of corruption

Advocacy: a strategy itself However, advocacy is not about just knowing everything about an issue; advocacy is about how using that knowledge to cause changes in the way things are. NEEDS Passion & will to see the change Understanding of the issue Getting a seat around the table is not enough if the outcome is just a meal and not your desired goal! People may wonder whether you do anything other than talk. One thing is very characteristic about the phone bills of people engaged in advocacy: They make far many more outgoing calls than they have incoming ones. Needs passionate desire and willingness to see the desired change a sound understanding of the issue

Why a need to advocate ? Lack of institutional mechanisms and resources that will allow the implementation of planned activities in coordinated manner, including adoption and enforcement of legal measures The legislation on risk factors is not comprehensive in many countries Enforcement is often lacking

Why a need to advocate ? Often, the people that can make the changes are the administrators or the elected officials Conversations with them, exchanging information with them, and impressing upon them your particular point of view Preparation and persistence

How to advocate Make your background research: on the local council and officials local development strategies local plans Use your knowledge to make your arguments stronger - Their profession, their formal activities, their families, their past (if they were involved in accidents ), weakness, power, resources – often include infrastructure and road safety elements In order to convince other people about something you need first to believe it yourself

How to advocate ? Make a strategy approach Involve professionals: road safety is a complex issue and you can’t cover all the fields More voices who speak the same language are hard to be ignored Collaboration in advocacy is essential Use informational materials Avoid overdoses …..But also as any other team work is good because it allows you to blame someone else"

Why must we Communicate? Those in power make the rules Officials can only make decisions based on the information they have We can open a space for under-represented citizens to speak

When advocating is effective? When you see reactions disproportionate to the input that you provide Outright rejection of the idea Ridiculing the idea, and even personal targeting Opposition to any moves by you Understand that you have touched on a sensitive point. It is like having someone touch an already injured part of the body.

When advocating is effective? When you see others wanting to join you – your Allies Be aware of “friends” for money – they will last as long you have finance for your goal When you begin to see the changes you desired for

When advocating is effective? Sometimes not even recognized for the role that he or she has played. When advocating is effective? An advocate can never take complete credit for the change You need to have strong believes in what you are promoting

Tips for a successful advocacy Tip 1: Try to put yourself in the position of your target Tip 2: Try finding the appropriate approach Tip 3: Opt for a strategic approach Tip 4: Aim for cooperation and alignment

Tips for a successful campaign Tip 5: Try using a positive message Tip 6: Avoid overdose Tip 7: Use professionals “…everybody believes he is an expert”

Example of success advocacy project

Lobbying against French “amnesty” Context “French Tradition” Increase of unsafe behaviours Coalition Involvement of road safety organisations Traffic victims associations Awareness Letters to officials Contacting press and media

Seat belt use backside Seat belt one of biggest road safety issue Context Seat belt one of biggest road safety issue Big problem for children Strategy Coalition between local associations, hospitals Proposal for a trial “special child seat” Awareness Spill over effect Contacting press and media

Thanks for your attention! For more information on www.etsc.eu European Transport Safety Council www.etsc.eu Ilyas.Daoud@etsc.eu Tel.: + 32 230 41 06