Safer vehicles – the market driven approach in Victoria

The ?Safe System? approach to tackling road safety is increasingly gaining
ground across Australian jurisdictions. At the heart of this approach is the
primacy of human health and well-being when compared with other benefits such
as convenience or economic gain. This approach demands that a significant
focus is placed on managing the interaction between road-users, the vehicle and
the road and roadside environment such that no death or disabling injury occurs.
This paper has as its focus the critical role that safer vehicles play in helping to
create a safer traffic system. The role of the market-driven model will be
exemplified by describing a range of key programs and initiatives conducted by
the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) in conjunction with partner agencies,
with a view to accelerating the up-take of safer vehicles. A sample of initiatives
that draw variously upon advocacy, public relations, advertising, infrastructure,
demonstration and evaluation will be described and trends in relevant outcome
indicators summarised. The paper concludes with a discussion of recommended
ways to proceed to ensure both that the community can access the safest
vehicles possible currently and that impetus is given to the introduction of the
most effective emerging technologies in the future.