1. 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

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

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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. Exploring the systems approach using the 5 pillars.

11. 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

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

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

14. 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

15. 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

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

17. 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?

18. 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

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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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