Global Road Deaths

ROAD DANGER REDUCTION

Road danger reduction

RoadPeace was founded on the principle of road danger reduction (RDR) in February 1992. Twenty years on, supporting active travel policies and sustainable transport programmes is much more widespread. 

Key to road danger reduction is the reduction of the speed, volume and dominance of motor vehicles.

Why RDR?

• Road safety has traditionally been reactive, and not preventative, focusing on death and serious injury resulting from collisions, rather than focusing on the prevention of collisions, and the wider benefits of safer streets. 

• The popular ‘share the road’ approach often ignores the imbalance of power and risk between motor vehicle users and more active (and vulnerable) road users. 

• Intimidation by and fear of motor vehicles, especially speeding drivers, prevents people from walking and cycling more and destroys community cohesion. 

• Safer streets not only result in fewer deaths and injuries, but also contribute to increased walking and cycling, which is good for the environment, for personal and public health.  

• RoadPeace was a signatory on the Take action active travel demands, which included supporting a 20 mph default speed limit, allocating 10% of transport funding for cycling and walking, and tackling bad driving.