CRC Press Eliminating Serious Injury and Death from Road Transport: A Crisis of Complacency

Should we really accept road trauma as collateral damage from daily road use? Eliminating Serious Injury and Death from Road Transport: A Crisis of Complacency explores why societies and their elected leaders view traffic safety as a (relatively) minor problem. It examines the changes in the culture of road use that need to occur if this public health problem is to be effectively resolved. Examines why road use culture is ego-centric ("what’s in it for me?") and why this blocks progress Explores current traffic safety measurement methods and demonstrates how they have underpinned our flawed approach Discusses the controversial issue of speed and speeding and shows how a new approach to speed management will be fundamental to transformational change Details a simple account of the concept of a "Safe System" (as now promoted by the WHO and the OECD) while exploring the failure to get beyond the principles to extensive implementation The book dispels the myths that currently drive societies’ (misguided) view of traffic safety―the bad behavior myth and the official myth that everything that can be done is being done―and how these myths limit progress in reducing death and serious injury. It presents current scientific knowledge and draws parallels with other areas of public safety and health. The book draws on examples from the media and from public policy debates to paint a clear picture of a flawed public policy approach. It presents a model for a preventive medicine approach to traffic safety policy to get beyond an ego-centric culture to a communal safety culture. Review "In this passionate, punchy and persuasive new book, the authors explore our love of the car, our dependence on it, and the risks we tolerate in return for the benefits it brings. … Overall, very readable, thought provoking and strongly recommended."―Health and Safety at Work, June 2014 "This new book explores why societies and their elected leaders view road safety as a relatively (minor) problem. It examines the changes in the culture of road use that need to occur if this public health problem is to be effectively resolved. … a must read …"―Lauchlan McIntosh AM FACRS, President, Australasian College of Road Safety in Journal of the Astralasian College of Road Safety, 2014 About the Author Dr. Ian Ronald Johnston is a psychologist with a PhD in human factors. He has worked in the transport field, specialising in transport safety, for over 40 years. He worked in the Australian government’s inaugural road safety unit in the 1970s, headed the Victorian government’s road safety unit in the 1980s, was managing director of Australia’s premier transport research organisation in the 1990s, and was director of the world-renowned Monash University Accident Research Centre until his retirement (from full-time work) in 2006. Dr. Johnston now runs his own consultancy specialising in helping government and industry develop and implement safety strategies. He is also deputy chair of Australia’s National Transport Commission and a member of the Core Advisory Group of the World Bank’s Global Road Safety Facility. He was a member of Australia’s National Road Safety Council for the 3 years of its existence. Dr. Johnston has published extensively in the field and has received several awards for his work, ncluding being made a member of the Order of Australia in 1997.Dr. Carlyn Muir is a research fellow at the Monash Injury Research Institute, which incorporates the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC). She is a psychologist whose doctoral research examined driver licensing policy for people following brain injury. She has been involved in the development and review of public health policy not only from a research perspective, but also through direct policy implementation within state health services. Dr. Muir’s current research involves the design and implementation of a range of injury prevention and public health projects