Report highlights principles for improving road safety

On the second UNESCO International Day of Education, a new report by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), the Flemish Foundation for Traffic Knowledge (VSV) and Fundación MAPFRE highlights 17 key principles for delivering effective road safety education in Europe. Education is an essential part of the “Safe System approach” to road safety. European countries have committed to providing traffic safety and mobility education, notably in schools at all levels.

However, a previous report by the same authors showed that the provision of such education differs widely across Europe, with most countries not following through on their commitments. This new report sets out recommendations in the form of Key Principles that should be implemented in all European countries, in order to ensure that everyone – and especially children and youngsters – receive high quality traffic safety and mobility education.

The 17 Key Principles are accompanied by best practice examples that illustrate how these principles can be applied in practice and are categorised in five key groups:

1. Ensure the Right to Receive Traffic Safety and Mobility Education
2. Engage and Support Schools
3. Ensure High Quality Education
4. Facilitate Framework Conditions
5. Involve All Relevant Stakeholders

 

The Key Principles are primarily aimed at decision makers and authorities at national and local levels. However, they can also be implemented by, and prove useful to, other actors, such as head masters at both schools and kindergartens as well as developers of educational material.

The report can be downloaded here.