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CHAPTER EIGHT: WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM OTHERS?

8.1 In the final strategy document, it may be that examples of best practice from other countries will be highlighted. The consultation document included examples from Sweden (Vision Zero), Finland (Goals for Driver Education) and the Netherlands (Sustainable Safety). Consultees were asked to provide any examples relating to their own priority areas.

8.2 In response to the question 'What can we learn from others?', 77 consultees (82%) provided a response. As shown in Chart 8.1, the comment cited by the highest proportion of consultees (21%) related to a need to learn from other countries' initiatives on road safety (15 organisations and one individual), followed by 17% (11 organisations and 2 individuals) referring to Vision Zero in Sweden. 16% (12 organisations) noted the need to follow or learn from other countries' best practice and 13% that Scotland should follow Blood Alcohol Content ( BAC) limits for all European and Scandinavian countries. 12% noted that Scotland should only adopt other schemes where they are appropriate.

Chart 8.1
Theme 5: What can we learn from others?

Base: 77 consultees

8.3 The following sections discuss the top 2 suggestions in more detail.

Learn from other countries' road safety initiatives

8.4 There was acknowledgement from 21% of consultees that Scotland can improve its road safety record by learning from other countries (15 organisations, one individual). One local authority respondent noted:

"Experience from other countries is invaluable in helping to achieve an ongoing reduction in casualties."
(Local Authority)

8.5 Specific examples of countries referred to by consultees included:

• Germany and Netherlands - drastically cut the number of pedestrian and cyclist deaths over past 25 years (Transport)
• Australia - graduated licensing for young drivers (local authority) and random breath tests (Police)
• Canada - established Canadian Youth Road Safety Committee which seeks to form a national network of dedicated young people involved in road safety (Police)
• France - 'Fight against road violence' one of top 3 priorities led to a reduction in fatal road crashes by 35% over the period 2002-2005 (Police).

8.6 A number of consultees (2 local authorities, one safety organisation and one individual), however, acknowledged that these initiatives have been developed to address problems that were prevalent in a particular country; for example for a "differing terrain" or "traffic volumes". Consultees advised that schemes are developed within "the ethos of that country". The following quote illustrates this point further:

"Road safety is an international and indeed a worldwide problem. There are many examples of road safety initiatives that have achieved impressive reductions in road safety. While Scotland can learn from these, it should be borne in mind that these initiatives have been developed to address the particular problems that were prevalent in that particular country and, therefore, they may not be appropriate solutions for Scotland."
(Safety Organisation)

8.7 With this in mind, a safety organisation suggested that the Scottish Government commission the appropriate worldwide research.

Vision Zero - Sweden

8.8 The consultation document referred specifically to Vision Zero - a policy introduced by the Swedish Parliament in 1997 that aspires to fatalities and serious injuries being reduced to zero by 2020. A total of 13 consultees (11 organisations and 2 individuals) commented on the policy.

8.9 While consultees applauded this "ambitious" and "exemplary" policy, one transport organisation made reference to the "considerable cost implications" which such a scheme will incur, although it went on to state that individual elements could be easily used. In addition, while agreeing with the principles of Vision Zero, one local authority did not think that zero will be achieved.

"The Swedish government has shown what can be done when legislators commit vigorously to their responsibility to make the roads safe. The concept of zero deaths on the roads requires cross departmental working, 'buy in' from the general public, as well as a genuine increase in resources for engineering, enforcement and education."
(Transport organisation)

8.10 As well as these suggestions, a number of others were also identified by smaller proportions of consultees. Specific reference was made to examples of other countries' initiatives relating to good road safety measures, positive safety culture, the reduction of blood alcohol levels and the need for a central body to research and develop systems for other countries to use. Table 8.1 presents a list of the other suggestions on how Scotland can learn from others (each outlined by between 9% and 5% consultees).

Table 8.1
Theme 5: Other ways we can we learn from others

8.11 Other comments made by smaller numbers of consultees (less than 5%) were:

• Speed signs/smart signs for town as on the continent (Sweden)
• Use EuroRAP (European Road Assessment Programme ) to star rate rural roads with none to fall below 3 stars
• Use EuroNCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) as guide in purchase of public and government vehicles
• Use international initiatives carefully, not always transferable to UK
• Adopt procedures for random breath tests/drink-driving laws as in (Australia)/other countries
• Scottish/National Road Safety Strategy
• Insurance industry incentives/strategies
• Dutch road infrastructure
• Violence and Injury Prevention Strategy - World Health Organisation
• Public transport services in mainland Europe
• Good road infrastructure/maintenance (Europe) (Britain)
• Local road infrastructure needs to meet local needs
• Britain has better/one of the best road and pedestrian safety/casualty reduction measures
• Good road infrastructure/traffic calming measures in Ireland
• Car road worthiness/development programmes in Scandinavia and Europe
• Education/training by local authorities, communities and schools (for children and parents)
• Neighbourhood traffic calming measures in Europe & Scandinavia
• Reduce speed when using windscreen wipers as in France
• Ensure road design/guidelines/to minimise accidents
• Stricter MOT (Ministry of Transport) tests, vehicle fitness
• Community ownership of accidents/road safety (Sweden).

In summary:

The key comment emerging on this question was that we should learn from other countries' initiatives on road safety or that we should learn from good practice adopted in other countries, although there were some concerns that initiatives specifically adopted for local situations abroad might not be suitable for Scotland.

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