1. Virginia Tanase Transport Division, UNECE, Geneva
IRU Academy Seminar on Driver Competence 28 January A Global Perspective on Driver Competence
Virginia Tanase
Transport Division, UNECE, Geneva   

2. Main road safety-related UN legal instruments
Convention on Road Traffic, 1949 and 1968
Convention on Road Signs and Signals, 1949 and 1968
Global Vehicles Regulations, 1998
ITP Agreement of 1997
AETR Agreement, 1970
ATP Agreement of 1970
ADR Agreement 1957 and its Protocol of 1993
The UN legal instruments which are important for road safety and should thus be dealt with on a priority basis, are the following: 2

3. Working Party on Road Traffic Safety (WP.1)
Road Traffic Rules (including driving license): Conventions on Road Traffic, of 1949 and 1968
Resolution no. 1 on road traffic (set of best practices)
Road Signs and Signals (including markings): Protocol/Convention on Road Signs and Signals, of 1949/ 1968
Resolution no.2 on road signs and signals (set of best practices)
The UNECE’s Working Party on Road Traffic Safety (WP.1) is, since 1950, the only permanent inter-governmental body in the United Nations dealing with road safety- all road safety stakeholders are welcome!

4. Road safety basic legislation
Legal instruments
Convention on Road Traffic, Vienna 1968 (consolidated)
Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Vienna 1968 (consolidated)
Sets of best practices
Consolidated Resolution on Road Traffic (R.E.1)
Consolidated Resolution on Road Signs and Signals (R.E.2)

5. Convention on Road Traffic, Vienna 1968
Facilitates international road traffic in 69 countries,
Enhances road safety
through
Uniform rules
for drivers and other road users
for road vehicles
Set of best practices: Resolution on Road Traffic (R.E.1) 5

6. Convention on Road Traffic, 1968
Key Provisions
Binds Contracting Parties to admit, but preserves their right to refuse
General and specific rules for drivers:
At all times able to control their vehicle
Must hold a driving permit, issued after tests
Driving rules: speed, distance, overtaking,....
The Convention sets up commonly agreed rules and regulations on all factors influencing international road traffic and its safety, including the driver and the vehicle, with which Contracting Parties must comply and ensure compliance. The Convention establishes that, in general, and without affecting the right of a Contracting Party to make the admission of vehicles in their territory subject to any applicable national law, Contracting Parties shall be bound to admit to their territories in international traffic motor vehicles and drivers that fulfill the conditions laid down in the Convention and to recognize vehicle registration certificates issued by other Contracting Parties. With regard to drivers, the Convention sets up general rules, including that every driver shall at all times be able to control his vehicle (Art. 8) and that every driver of a motor vehicle must hold a driving permit, issued only after verification that he/she possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to drive a vehicle. It also includes all the specific behaviour rules for drivers necessary for safe driving, such as speed and distance between vehicles, priorities at intersections, overtaking and use of lamps. 6

7. Road Traffic, 1968

8. Accession versus implementation
This picture was taken in A CP to the Convention on Road Traffic, 1968
Source: FIA European Bureau 8

9. Accession versus implementation
And this one too…
Source: FIA European Bureau 9

10. Global perspective Convention on Road Traffic, 1968
6 chapters, 56 articles, 7 annexes
Consolidated Resolution on Road Traffic (R.E.1)
4 parts, 16 chapters,7 annexes

11. Example- the driver Convention on Road Traffic, 1968
Article 8 “Drivers”
[…]
4. Every driver of a power-driven vehicle shall possess the knowledge and skill necessary for driving the vehicle;

12. Example- the driver Consolidated Resolution on Road Traffic (R.E.1)
General principles of professional instruction
(a) Professional driving instruction should be based on the following main considerations […]

13. Example- the driver Consolidated Resolution on Road Traffic (R.E.1)
Instructors
Professional tuition should be given only by instructors approved by the competent national authority in accordance with the conditions set out in annex IV to this Consolidated Resolution.[…]

14. Example- the driver Consolidated Resolution on Road Traffic (R.E.1)
Annex III
Minimum requirements for professional driving instruction - driving instructors
eligibility for recognition
disqualification
maintenance of standards

15. Example- the driver Consolidated Resolution on Road Traffic (R.E.1)
Vehicles used for tuition
Motor vehicles used for practical tuition should be so equipped that […]
Tuition
(a) The tuition provided should aim at promoting a correct attitude and behaviour in all kinds of traffic situations, cover all the matters set out in annex IV and follow the
methods set out in annexes V and VI […]

16. Example- the driver Consolidated Resolution on Road Traffic (R.E.1)
Annex IV
Minimum requirements for professional driving instruction - scope of tuition
theoretical
practical

17. Example- the driver Consolidated Resolution on Road Traffic (R.E.1)
Annex V
Guidelines for methods of professional tuition
Principal guidelines
Methods of theoretical tuition
Methods of practical tuition : drivers of motor cycles, drivers of motor vehicles of Category B (page 150), C and D and additional minimum requirements for CE, DE and subcategories C1E and D1E
...very well structured and detailed

18. Example- the driver Consolidated Resolution on Road Traffic (R.E.1)
Annex VI
Additional recommendations for professional drivers of vehicles of categories C, D, CE, DE and sub-categories C1E and D1E - training programme
Six areas in which safety-conscious driving is particularly important have been selected for additional driving instruction for professional drivers and these are […]

19. Example- the driver Consolidated Resolution on Road Traffic (R.E.1)
Instruction in the driving of heavy goods and passenger vehicles
(a) In addition to the instruction necessary to obtain a driving permit, it is recommended that drivers of heavy goods and passenger vehicles […]
  Supervision
The continued application of the provisions set out in points to above should be checked at regular intervals by the competent authorities.
2.1.2 First aid training
(a) Appropriate measures shall be taken to ensure that candidates for driver’s licences receive proper training concerning […]

20. Example- the driver Convention on Road Traffic, 1968
Article 41 “Driving permits”
(Provisions applicable from 29 March 2011 (see new article 43))
1. […]
(b) Contracting Parties undertake to ensure that driving permits are issued only after verification by the competent authorities that the driver possesses the required knowledge and skills; the persons authorized to check if drivers have the necessary knowledge and skills must have appropriate qualifications; the contents and procedure of both theoretical and practical exams are regulated by national legislation;

21. Haddon matrix
Source: Berkeley University, USA

22. Closing remarks Driver’s competence is important for:
efficiency of road transport
preserving environment
a long term career of choice
facilitation of road transport, and above all
road traffic safety!!!
Harmonization of training and assessment standards would have higher expected return if based on international multilateral legal instruments and best practices
- additional sub-regional requirements possible (e.g. acquis communautaire)

23. Economic Commission for Europe Thank you for your kind attention!
United Nations
Economic Commission for Europe
Thank you for your kind attention! 23 23