Citation

Christie R. Proc. Australas. Road Safety Res. Policing Educ. Conf. 2002; 6(1): 37-46.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, copyright holder varies, Publisher Monash University)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

From a public health perspective, road safety education and training seem to be largely ineffective. There is little scientific evidence to suggest that they contribute to reduced risk, injury or fatality among those targeted. Some programs do influence road user behaviour and reduce the crash risk and/or injury of road users but these appear to be in the minority. Road safety advertising has a place in road safety, but only to support legislative and enforcement programs such as those targeting high-risk behaviours (for example drink driving and speeding). While there is some controversy about how effective such supporting advertising actually is, myths that road crashes, deaths and injuries can be reduced by television and media advertising alone should be rejected. Road safety professionals and governments need to be more questioning of the worth of educational and training approaches and have the courage to say "NO" to advocates, lobbyists and politicians who want to expend road safety funds and resources on unproven education and training programs.