Global Road Safety Partnerships Good Practice on Road Safety Children and Youth What can we do to increase the road safety among children and young people?, Gdynia (Poland) Gayle Di Pietro GRSP is a hosted programme of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

GRSP’s mission The sustainable reduction of road death and injury in low and middle income countries

Government Civil society Business GRSP is a hosted programme of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

What is not known The number of children and young people killed, seriously injured or disabled as a result of traffic crashes in not precisely known. There is a lack of data, but underreporting rather than over reporting occurs.

What is known. The road network is constructed without considering children Children are not born knowing how to use the road system Children and young people are vulnerable on or near roads Children cannot always control their own safety

Risk factors Child and Youth related factors: Physical development Size, height, growth patterns, co-ordination, balance Cognitive development Mastering concepts, judgements, decision making, reasoning, impulse control Risk taking behaviour Intentional & unintentional Peer influence Gender Including expectations

Move away from the idea that children can adapt their behaviour to manage traffic. Recognise that children’s needs should be addressed in the design and management of the road system

Interventions World report on road traffic injury prevention describes proven interventions and promotes a systems approach

Safe System – Is it safe for children? movement energy RS MANAGEMENT ROADS Institutional capacity Systems approach Funding VEHICLES Immediate Death or injury Low Country standards Individual poor choices Poor maintenance PEOPLE Poor design Poor construction Poor maintenance Helmets, Seat belts Speed, Drink Drive Vulnerable people Low country standards Poor individual choices TRAUMA CARE delayed Death or injury

Exploring the systems approach using the 5 pillars.

1. Road Safety Management Recognise needs of vulnerable road users in this car dominant society Provide space for walking and cycling and sustainable public transport systems – separate road user types Provide budget (eg. schools traffic wardens) Manage travel speeds – particularly around schools (traffic calming) Legislate to protect children's safety

2. Roads Address black spots Use traffic calming measures Separate VRUs from fast moving traffic Provide pedestrian refuges Change traffic lights sequences Overhead bridges

3. Vehicles Establish standards that contribute to the safety of children Vehicle design to reduce injury Braking systems Alcohol interlocks Child restraints Child helmets

4. People Road safety education needs to start at birth! Role modelling Roadside skills development Conspicuity (of road users & roadside environment treatments) Use of safety equipment Educate all about the limitations of children & young people

5. Trauma care Learn to call for assistance First to the scene care (Safe scene then ABC) Provide prompt, efficient & effective pre-hospital care What is normal for the adult may not be normal for the child

Focus on behaviours Filling the holes With good practice PEOPLE DEFENCE Vulnerable Road User

Does RSE in schools work? Problems with (for example): evaluation methodology time frame objectives teaching & learning methods content If education doesn’t work, why do we send children to school?

Road Safety education Achievable & specific aims Stage/age appropriate Continuous & sequential Targeting the risky behaviour Culturally correct Embedded Not busy work Applicable in different contexts

Road Safety Education Use appropriate pedagogy Involve parents Train teachers Traffic Clubs Safe Routes to School Whole community approach

Young new drivers Most vulnerable of all road users Pre-licence: Multi tasking on complex tasks Resisting Peer influence Speed management Error spotting Hazard recognition

Young people Graduated licensing programmes Sometimes: Extended learner period Provisional or intermediate Full licence Sometimes: Alcohol restrictions Passenger restrictions Speed restrictions Type of vehicle Curfews

In conclusion Systems approach delivers greater road safety for children and young people Children cannot easily adapt behaviour to cope with traffic Address children’s needs in the design and management of the whole road system Use proven and effective strategies