Vision Zero: latest road safety research and initiatives from Brake

Global initiatives Research: Global road casualty statistics Governments worldwide must step-up action to prevent road deaths and prioritise safe and healthy roads, advises a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO's Global status report on road safety 2018 has revealed that road crashes are the leading cause of death for children and young people (aged 5-29 years), and the eighth leading cause of death globally. People living in low- and middle-income countries are at highest risk. Roads are still being designed to prioritise the safety of motor vehicle occupants, despite the fact that pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists make up more than half of the world’s road deaths. To prevent deaths and serious injuries on roads, governments need to take a more proactive, system-wide approach, says WHO.

Sustainability Event: United Nations Climate Change Conference Climate-friendly technology solutions and alternatives to private vehicle ownership were unveiled at the 2018 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP24), when international delegates met to discuss progress made towards the sustainability commitments of the Paris Agreement. One of the most widely anticipated presentations on the agenda was the Driving Change Together Partnership for Electromobility, prepared by Poland and the UK. All delegates were invited to declare support for this new initiative, which promotes e-mobility and clean travel. Stakeholders also discussed the need for a long-term renewable transport strategy and ways to help policy-makers prioritise safety, sustainability and international cooperation. Research: Global emissions The latest status report on global transport emissions has been published by the Partnership on Sustainable Low-Carbon Transport (SLoCaT). The report reveals that transport was the largest growing emissions sector in 40 countries between 2000 and 2016, with road transport the largest contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions (accounting for three-quarters of transport emissions in 2015). SLoCaT attributes the increase in transport emissions to a dramatic rise in private car ownership and surface freight activity – particularly in non-OECD countries. Vehicles Policy: EU Vehicle Standards EU member states have backed a new package of mandatory minimum vehicle standards proposed by the European Commission. If the standards are passed by the European Parliament, all new vehicles will need to be fitted with advanced driver assistance systems to help prevent death and injury in a road crash. Recommended measures include autonomous emergency braking systems (AEB), intelligent speed assistance (ISA) and lane keep assist (LKA). TRL has estimated that the introduction of the complete package of measures could save up to 25,000 lives across the EU over the next 16 years. Research: Powered two-wheelers and bicycles  Many road safety initiatives focus too heavily on car occupants, at the expense of more vulnerable road users, according to a new report from the European Commission’s Directorate General for Mobility and Transport (DG Move). The SaferWheels study into the causes of crashes involving powered two-wheelers and bicycles determined that no single measure could prevent all crashes. Instead, policy-makers must introduce measures that benefit all road users, including tougher enforcement, more stringent vehicle regulations and better infrastructure design. DG Move is calling on European governments to take a safe systems approach to road safety management to reduce the risks to vulnerable road users. Roads Research: Cycle lanes Researchers from the University of Otago have shown for the first time that effective investment in cycling infrastructure can reduce congestion and cut carbon emissions. The study, which looked at the impact of new cycling and walking infrastructure in two cities in New Zealand over a three-year period, revealed a 1.6% reduction in vehicle kilometres travelled and an associated 1% drop in carbon emissions in the area. However, the figures are believed to be an underestimation as short car journeys, that can be replaced by walking or cycling, typically have higher emissions per kilometre travelled. The research confirmed that people were more prepared to walk or cycle if they could travel safely and securely. It’s estimated that effective, nationwide investment in cycling infrastructure could cut New Zealand’s carbon emissions by 0.23 million tonnes in three years. Road safety events 12-13 February 2019 MOVE: Models, Technology, Sustainability. Mobility Re-imagined London, UK 25-26 March 2019 ICoRSI International Symposium on Safety of Vulnerable Road Users Changsha, China 8-13 April 2019 Sixth Global Meeting of Nongovernmental Organizations Advocating for Road Safety and Road Victims Chania, Greece 10 - 11 April 2019 Safer City Streets Network: 5th meeting Buenos Aires, Argentina Find out more: Visit our calendar of global road safety events.