1. Road safety situation development in Estonia Harri KUUSK Deputy Director General Estonian Road Administration 2005

2. Harri Kuusk2

3. 3 Estonia Facts : - 45,000 km 2 - 1,36 m inhabitants - 16,400 km national roads - 1,430 km main roads

4. Harri Kuusk4

5. 5 Action planning Organisations involved in actions Responsibilities and liabilities of several institutions –State level –Local level Teamwork and co-ordination organisms Knowledge base about the causes of accidents and possibilities to improve the situation.

6. Harri Kuusk6 Institutions involved in Road Safety promotion (state level) –Ministry of Economic Affairs & Communications Road Administration Estonian Motor Vehicle Registration Centre –Ministry of Education –Ministry of Finances Estonian Traffic Insurance Foundation –Ministry of Social Affairs Centre for Health Promotion –Ministry of Internal Affairs Police Board Rescue Board

7. Harri Kuusk7 Institutions involved in Road Safety promotion (state, cont.) Exploration organisations Tallinn Technical University Tartu University Tallinn Technical High School IB Stratum TNS EMOR Advertising agencies Media: radio, TV, newspapers, magazins Corporate enterprises –Building, maintenance, architect & designer’s offices Non profit institutions

8. Harri Kuusk8 Co-operation methods Lawmaking activities Information sharing –Workgroup meetings and seminars –Meetings for decision makers –Involving of group members into international experience sharing Participation in local specialist’s training. Activities planning, financing or participation by know-how.

9. Stages of development

10. Harri Kuusk10 Stages 1990 – 1994 reforms and rearrangements 1995 – 1999 steady period, development 2000 – 2005 second wave of reforms

11. Harri Kuusk11 1990 -1994 Information gathering and lawmaking –1991 speed in urban areas 50 km/h Compulsory safety belts wearing on pillion (rear seat) Reorganisation of executive administration –Road safety administration Estonian Motor Vehicle Registration Centre Road Safety Board

12. Harri Kuusk12 1995 - 1999 Information gathering and lawmaking –1995 Daytime running lights –1996 Children restraints –1997 Winter (studded) tyres, compulsory from Dec 1 to March 1 Possible from Oct 1 to May 1[from 2002])

13. Harri Kuusk13 1995 – 1999 (cont) Reorganisation of executive administration –1995 Road Administration incorporates –Road (Traffic) safety department. Responsible for traffic education and communication activities.

14. Harri Kuusk14 2000 - 2005 Information gathering and lawmaking –2001 Updated Roads Act and Traffic code Blood alcohol level for drivers 0.2 ‰ Mobile phone use without hands-free illicit Reorganisation of executive administration –2002 Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications Regional reform started –2003 Traffic control unit re-established by Police

15. Harri Kuusk15 Trends from 1990 - 2003

16. Harri Kuusk16 Killed on the roads 1990 - 2004

17. Harri Kuusk17 Road Safety Program

18. Harri Kuusk18 Road Safety Program development Based On the surveys, monitoring and analysis of current traffic safety situation. On the Road Safety Program designed by PHARE in 1997. On the prognosis of the traffic safety situation for ten years. On the Finnish Road Safety Program (has taken as example).

19. Harri Kuusk19

20. Harri Kuusk20 Road Safety in Estonia Causes of poor road safety level are: Unsafe road using attitudes of the population. Deferred National Road Safety Program approval. Wanting traffic education level in the schools. Deficient new drivers education.

21. Harri Kuusk21 Road Safety in Estonia Causes of poor road safety level are:(cont): Lag of road traffic infrastructure development. Drivers behaviour habitudes: –Low safety devices usage habitude in the cars (back seat, children restraints). –Excessive speed and risk disregard. –High level of drunk drivers in the traffic.

22. Harri Kuusk22 Road Safety Program activities Targeted on the following main directions: Unprotected road users (pedestrians, bicyclists) safety Children and elderly people safety Young and inexperienced drivers safety

23. Harri Kuusk23 Road Safety Program activities Drunk driving diminishing Decreasing of consequences of the RTA Urban traffic safetyUrban traffic safety Decreasing a number of: – Dark time RTA & –Winter time RTA

24. Harri Kuusk24 Local safety programs

25. Harri Kuusk25 Institutions involved in Road Safety promotion (local) Institution of local governing (government or public office) County government Local RA and outside specialists Police, Fire & Rescue services Corporate enterprises Media: radio, newspapers, magazines Architects, designers, estate agents etc.

26. Harri Kuusk26 Local planning Goals establishing –Measures of effectiveness (criteria: no killed pedestrians, no children injured etc.) Exploration and analysis of local situation. Resources planning Local road safety development plan and program writing.

27. Harri Kuusk27 Recommendations for local planning Safe environment development –Reduce noise, pollution and increase safety for the residents of different age. –Land use planning –Developing areas for sports and recreation –Health and social services planning –Education and training of population Road maintenance organisation and supervisory.

28. Harri Kuusk28 Effective & advantageous traffic organisation Safety audit –To determine dangerous and problematic places and causes of danger Solution discussing and effectiveness assessment. –Traffic calming –Pedestrian crossings –Crossings –Car parking Solutions monitoring and assessment.

29. Harri Kuusk29 Road Safety Audit Strongly recommended MEASURE for traffic environment assessment, preceding any planning, reconstruction or regulation exchange on the streets and roads. Provided by independent specialists or organisation. Actually this kind of work is not legally regulated in Estonia (only recommendations).

30. Harri Kuusk30 Safety audit realisation Initiated by local authorities, state authorities (RA) or any committer. Realised by specialist or organisation, who has no direct interest in another parts of project. Results will be discussed with three parts of project and has to be available for public opinion.

31. Harri Kuusk31 Remarks

32. Harri Kuusk32 Good things Small territory and population Enthusiasm of population Discerning decisions made at early stages of reforms Public openness to new knowledge and experience Embodiment to EU Public interest to safety issues and problems Private sector support to safety promotion

33. Harri Kuusk33 Discerning decisions Road Safety administration separated from Traffic Police Independent body implemented in Road Administration structure Sufficient understanding of Road Safety issues significance at the Ministerial level Sufficient financing from 1996

34. Harri Kuusk34 Co-operation Development of decision-makers network All the activities supported by research and developmental work Local specialist network support Integration with schools and private activities toward Road Safety education and information dissemination Good interaction with Police and support of campaign activities by Police enforcement

35. Harri Kuusk35 Obstacles Long-drawn-out reforms Some legislation changes Mushrooming bureaucracy Limited human resources

36. Harri Kuusk36 Examples

37. Harri Kuusk37 Media campaign Belt up!

38. Harri Kuusk38 Campaign idea The main information is “BELT UP!” The second slogan is “Belt up also on the back seats!” The third message is “Police will control your seat belt usage” –Police makes a notice and admonition –Police gives you an opportunity to write an essay (2000) –POLICE controls and imposes a fine (2002-2003) Conclusion: Seat belt usage is simple, improves your safety and the theme will be actual in the future

39. Harri Kuusk39 Outdoor 2002

40. Harri Kuusk40

41. Harri Kuusk41

42. Harri Kuusk42

43. Harri Kuusk43 Conclusions

44. Harri Kuusk44 Most important conclusions Discerning decisions at early stages Public interest to safety issues and problems Private sector support to safety promotion Sufficient understanding of Road Safety issues significance at the Ministerial level Sufficient financing from 1996 Acceptance of Road Safety program by Parliament

45. Harri Kuusk45 Important conclusions understood, predicted, and prevented… that road traffic injuries, like other health and safety problems, can be understood, predicted, and prevented. Public awareness about RS could be increased by systematic campaign and information dissemination activities Good relations with journalists and media organisations must be maintained Public trustworthiness to main safety promoting authority must be undoubted

46. Harri Kuusk46 conclusions Road Safety issues need a program based approach Understanding of RS as broad complex of –Planning, engineering & management –Social, health & psychological –Legal, financial & security Issue for whole society (at the level of state, regional, local government )

47. Harri Kuusk47 THANK YOU FOR ATTENTION