GROW SUCCESS

When the school assessment project has been successfully conducted and the results have been documented and shared, it is time to look beyond the scope of the project and identify how to maximise its achievements. These achievements will build a case for attracting the interest of government and other partners in spreading awareness, attracting funding for road upgrades and incorporating other schools into the project.

CAPITALISE ON SUCCESS

The United Nations has set Global Road Safety Performance Targets which include ensuring all new roads are built to a 3-star or better standard for all road users (Goal 3), and more than 75% of travel is on the equivalent of 3-star or better roads for all road users by 2030 (Goal 4). Achieving >75% of travel on 3-star or better roads by 2030 will save an estimated 467,000 lives every year and 100 million lives and serious injuries over a 20-year life of treatments.

For governments and development banks, this is an opportunity to set performance-based targets that not only improve safety but create a high level of transparency and accountability, enabling the government to track the improvement of the road network. The impact of raising high-risk road networks to a 3-star or better standard will deliver long-term benefits to society. Firstly, the main aim; reduction in road traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Additional benefits include easing pressure on the health service and protecting insurance costs.

Optimising investment in order to maximize 3-star or better school zones provides agencies with both the business case and the metric to manage the safety of road infrastructure in their jurisdiction. The return on this investment is priceless when you consider the lives saved.