Author(s)

MIROSLAVA MIKUSOVA, KYANDOGHERE KYAMAKYA, JOZEF GNAP

Abstract

Road traffic accidents are a major public health and societal issue, causing around 1.35 million deaths each year and ranking as the eighth leading cause of death globally. This paper addresses the urgent need for comprehensive approach to improve road safety, emphasising the creation of clear and targeted road safety strategies at regional and local levels. It underscores the critical role of strategic road safety management based on the development of effective practices that lead to safer road environments and support sustainable development in communities. The methodology involves a thorough review of global and European road safety initiatives, scientific literature and international best practices, providing their structured overview. The findings highlight that successful road safety initiatives require an integration of top-down and bottom-up approaches and creation of collaborative framework that empowers communities to identify their specific needs while facilitating communication with higher authorities. Key results indicate that targeted interventions, informed by crash data and stakeholder engagement, significantly improve road safety outcomes. The study also emphasises the importance of setting clear objectives and measurable targets in action plans, which are crucial for monitoring progress and ensuring accountability of road safety actions. Conclusions drawn from this research underscore the necessity of a holistic approach to road safety that encompasses legislative and enforcement measures, public awareness, and community involvement. By fostering a culture of safety and responsibility among all road users, the proposed approach can contribute to the global goal of reducing road traffic deaths and serious injuries by at least half by 2030.

Keywords

road safety, strategy, communities, action plans, sustainability, policy, targets