TRANSPORT SAFETY SCIENCE AND THE POLITICAL PROCESS

This brief article describes the educational and publicity campaign undertaken by the general accident insurance group in the United Kingdom to prevent accidents. A national campaign was launched in September 1986 in conjunction with the Department of Transport. Booklets and videos on road safety were produced for use in schools and at exhibitions throughout the country. Sets of reflective stickers were issued, and books were produced for special road user groups, such as car drivers, cyclists and foreign visitors to Britain. Six major research projects were also funded, as were video productions, competitions such as the lorry driver of the year, road safety conferences, and a police motorway campaign. One million pounds was also provided over 5 years for a pilot exercise in 7 East of England counties for traffic club, an initiative designed to reduce the number of pre-school children involved in road accidents. Gallup polls were also conducted and proved to be one of the most successful publicity tools. Topics included drinking and driving, childrens views of parents driving, pedestrian safety and motorway driving behaviour and attitudes.