The challenges of coordinating a multi-agency safe systems approach in local government road safety

Local Governments (LG) face challenges in managing road safety. The biggest is the coordination of numerous stakeholders from multi-agencies, each with their own perspectives and organizational constraints. In GMC the responsibility falls with the Road Safety Officer (RSO). Inhibiting factors for road safety at LG level include: lack of immediate funding stream, strict adherence to engineering guidelines, lack of resources, unrealistic expectation of stakeholders, the “blame” factor and invested interests. This paper will show how the key to a successful safe systems outcome is the RSO’s ability to negotiate an evidence-based solution agreed by all stakeholders.