‘Steering to Safety’ in the border region
01 December 2006
This week saw the publication of a large scale cross border research study into Road Traffic Collisions (RTC) in the border region of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. This extensive research, part financed by the European Union, embraced quantitative, qualitative and observational methodologies and provides vital information to help all agencies and stakeholders involved in the reduction or prevention of RTCs in both jurisdictions.
The research study, ‘Steering to Safety’ provides for the first time a clear picture of the factors which contribute to RTCs in the border region and highlights the key issues which need to be taken into consideration by all those engaged in road safety.
The research process itself was managed by a cross sector Steering Committee comprising representation from the Garda, Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI), the Department of the Environment Road Safety Division, Road Safety Authority (RSA), National Roads Authority (NRA), Department of Roads Division (DRD), Public Health, Health Promotion and Trinity College Dublin.
The rationale for the research study came from an earlier Co-operation And Working Together (CAWT) report (2002) which found that the border region had a 33% higher death rate from transport accidents than the rest of Ireland. CAWT’s cross border Health Promotion sub group responded by commissioning this extensive research to explore the factors behind this broad statistic, to provide strategic guidance for future work in this area by all stakeholders.
The research was initiated by the Health Authorities in the border area through the Co-operation and Working together partnership who secured the European Union funding for the project.
Speakers include Michael Rowland, Head of Research, Road Safety Authority, Nazih Eldin, Head of Health Promotion, Dublin North East, John Farrelly, Chief Superintendent, Garda National Traffic Bureau, Chief Inspector William Brown, PSNI and Sean McKeever, SHSSB/CAWT.
Dr Nazih Eldin, Head of Health Promotion, HSE Dublin North East, on behalf of the Steering Committee highlighted the significance of this research and the cross sector approach adopted. “Whilst the health sector has taken a lead in this research study, it has been a huge cross border collaborative effort involving all the partners with a remit for road safety. For the first time we have had all the partners bringing their skills and expertise to the table to focus on this key issue of road safety together in a co-ordinated manner. From a health perspective we welcome the targeted interventions proposed by the research study. We will also consider how we can adopt the learnings from this research study into our own health promotion activities in school, youth, workplace and other health settings.
Speaking on behalf of the Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT) cross border partnership, Sean McKeever, Acting Chief Executive for the SHSSB reinforced the value of this large-scale research project from a health service perspective. He said, “ the detailed research findings of the Steering to Safety research project adds considerably to our knowledge base about the nature of Road Traffic Accidents in the border region. We in the Health Service of course want to see a reduction in injuries and deaths from road traffic accidents, the consequences of which impact on our ambulance services, hospitals and support services far too frequently. From a health services perspective we welcome the specific recommendations proposed by the research study and will play our part in their implementation.
The research findings, which collectively provides detailed analysis and insights on the many elements of the Road Traffic Collision phenomenon in the border region, is being distributed to all stakeholders to provide strategic guidance for future work. Going forward it is planned that the cross sector and cross border partnership formed to guide the research, will continue to provide the strategic guidance for the next phase which involves implementing the actions recommended to bring about a reduction in Road Traffic Collisions.