A framework for conceptualising traffic safety culture

Abstract

Traffic safety culture is a relatively new concept which has recently gained attention in the field of traffic safety. There is currently little consensus regarding the nature of the concept, nor how it should be defined. Preliminary definitions have typically focussed on specific road safety problems and the anticipated effect of a strong traffic safety culture. The literature to date has tended to emphasise how traffic safety culture might be created or shaped. However, without a better understanding of the nature and structure of traffic safety culture, discussions regarding changes to traffic safety culture are restricted. An examination of different conceptualisations and definitions of organisational safety culture provides a preliminary theoretical framework for traffic safety culture. Two high risk driving behaviours within the Australian context are compared to illustrate how key factors within this framework can be used to understand and improve road safety outcomes.