Improving Road Safety
in the OIC Member States
6
recommended to invest in a road safety capacity review, either using the above-mentioned
guidelines or other approaches. Although the procedures are extensive and generally time
consuming, this should not be seen as a barrier to implementing a comprehensive review, as the
benefits are substantial. The more specific the assessment is made, the better actions towards
improving road safety can be tailored.
General recommendations: no regret actions
Most OIC member countries are in the establishment and growth phase. The current investment
into road safety is considered low by most standards and decision makers and politicians must
realise that substantial investment will be required in future if the country wants to reduce the
current economic burden of road crashes on the economy.
For all OIC member countries general road safety improvement measures can be found in the
following directions.
 Applying a Safe Systems Approach by developing a road transport system that accounts for
human error and the vulnerability of the human body and considering all the road safety
aspects, as reflected in the five road safety pillars, in an integrated way.
 A cohesive approach with clear tasks and responsibilities. Knowing the multi-disciplinary
character of road safety and the large number of stakeholders involved, it is important to
develop a cohesive approach, which can be reinforced by appointing a lead agency.
 Raising awareness for road safety. This is relevant throughout society, frompoliticians, having
to place road safety on the political agenda, through to children, who need to be educated on
road safety.
 Knowledge transfer and capacity building, leading to a knowledge base that is shared between
the various stakeholders involved in road safety.
 Sound understanding of road safety is crucial, and is reflected in research in the following
areas:
- Analysis of crash types and crash factors, as a basis for defining effective measures.
- Further analysis related to motorisation level and travel behaviour, as a basis for
understanding the context of road safety.
Specific groups of OIC member countries may benefit from the following approach.
 HICs might be able to deal with their problems when supplied with sufficient adequate
knowledge, regarding their specific road safety situation and adequate best practices.
 The higher than average MIC group might gain from a specific approach where road and
transport infrastructure is improved, focussing on specific safety problems, notably
regarding pedestrians.
 Countries that still have to go through a motorisation growth should focus on a policy
regarding vehicles (affordable and not too fast cars rather than powered two wheelers) and
to improve infrastructure in time. Paired with that is setting vehicle and driver standards and
ensuring that the enforcement and controls of these standards are put in place.