Citation

Cardoso JL, Lemonde De Macedo A, Trigoso JM, Bettencourt I. Routes Rev. AIPCR 2004; (323): 5-14.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, World Road Association / AIPCR-PIARC)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article sets out the objectives of the Portuguese National Road Safety Plan which was approved in 2003. Although accident and fatality numbers have declined sharply in the past ten years they are still greatly above the European Union averages. The most severe accidents occurred outside urban areas, and at night; and pedestrians and two-wheel vehicle users were most at risk. The plan was split into three structuring areas: continuous education of the road user; safe road environment; and legal framework and enforcement. At operational level, priority status was given under the three areas to speed, pedestrian safety, two-wheeler user safety, drinking/drug use, fatigue, safety devices, heavy vehicles, road infrastructure and first aid. Measures expected under road user education include improved school-level education and driver training course. Safe road environment includes infrastructure life-cycle management, training administrators and engineers, and improving organizational efficiency. Safety programmes at operational level feed into these areas with objectives for short to medium term improvement.

Language: en