TARGETS NOT TRADE-OFFS

This paper describes a new approach to safety which involves setting specific targets from which action programmes can be derived. This is usually called the objectives based approach. The importance of considering safety concurrently with the key transport objective of accessibility if misleading results are to be avoided is emphasised. The current accident reduction target of the United Kingdom Government is discussed and proposals are made for its extension and development. These proposals include advice about how accident figures for different types of vehicle must be carefully analysed if misleading conclusions are to be avoided. An example is provided by the analysis of heavy vehicle accident data. Overall statistics show an apparently comparable safety record for goods vehicles and private cars. When lorry accident rates are analysed by number of axles and type of road, this is not always the case. The paper concludes by suggesting four immediate steps which could be taken to improve road safety. For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 853729.