Citation

Myers D. Proc. Australas. Road Safety Res. Policing Educ. Conf. 2000; 4: 229-234.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, copyright holder varies, Publisher Monash University)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The results achieved by Victoria's approach to road safety over the last ten years have been recognised and applauded locally, nationally and internationally. The integration of high levels of enforcement combined with high levels of public awareness via mass media campaigns has seen significant changes in road user behaviour. Supporting the enforcement and public awareness campaigns with targeted education and road safety engineering, combined with effective and transparent evaluation of all aspects of the strategy, make up Victoria's road safety program - Safety First. But how relevant is the Safety First model in third world and developing nations? Since 1996, Victoria has been involved in introducing the principals of Safety First into the Province of KwaZulu-Natal in the Republic of South Africa. Asiphephe (Zulu for "Let Us Be Safe") is the KwaZulu-Natal Road Safety Project that is based on Safety First. What became apparent during the post-program development phases was that significant adaption to the existing model was needed to ensure the required road safety outcomes. The road safety project changed to one that was technology-based and community-orientated. This paper examines the economic, cultural, demographic and geographic differences between Victoria and KwaZulu-Natal and the changes that were required to make the Victoria model an effective application in the South African context.