New programs aim for safer streets and neighbourhoods

The neighbourhood road safety campaign implemented in 1985 was the first major attempt to improve community awareness of road safety. The overall goal of the project was to improve safety on local roads by changing the community's perceptions of the local environment. In particular it sought to make residents and councils more aware of safety problems, make residents more aware of streets as a living environment and to encourage councils to investigate local street safety improvements. This article details the campaigns' structure and success. Other programs discussed are: the introductions of 40 km/h speed limits on local roads; shared zones - 10 km/h streets shared by motorists and pedestrians; black spots and a new handbook on highway safety practice.