Comprehensive System of Road Safety Management

Abstract

One person is killed every 5 minutes, and one is injured every minute on China's roads: China is the world leader in traffic deaths and injuries. Crash characteristics reveal that a mixed traffic environment, poor driver behavior, and a high percentage of nonvehicle occupant victims contribute to the poor measures. An uncoordinated institutional structure is identified as the most critical problem in China's road safety management. Current safety management in China is characterized by fine–incentive enforcement and remains weak in engineering and other measures. There remains room for transportation agencies to play a stronger role in China's road safety management. This paper argues that improving road safety in China calls for a comprehensive road safety management system (RSMS) with a coordinated institutional structure, complete and accurate safety data, comprehensive and effective safety programs, and strong and efficient safety legislation. The four key components of an RSMS are illustrated based on road safety management practices in the United States, which provide a benchmark for analyzing the current road safety management system in China.