Proceedings of the 24th World International Traffic Medicine Association Congress, Qatar 2015

Abstract

Introduction/Problem statement In 2007, road safety was assessed as one of the more serious safety risks in Ras Laffan Industrial City (RLIC). It accounted for 1,540 road traffic crashes, one fatality, several serious injuries and a number of property damages during the year. As a result a committee was formed which included all stakeholders in the Industrial City to set achievable and sustainable goals to reduce the road safety risk rate to “As Low as Reasonable Practical” (ALARP). The committee developed and implemented a sustainable road safety program, holding all persons entering RLIC responsible for contributing to a new safety culture. The aim was to reduce road related crashes by at least 20% per annum. Methods 1. The committee conducted an ALARP road safety study to identify and analyze the highest road safety related risks in all common road and concession areas of the Industrial City and established mitigation measures for each risk identified to prevent death, serious injury or property damage. 2. Investigated the root causes of road traffic crashes and classified them in categories that include human behaviour, road engineering, vehicle fitness, driver fitness and environmental conditions such as dust and fog. 3. Developed and implemented sustainable mitigation measures for each of the categories identified. 4. Developed and implemented a road crash database to record and track crash data. Throughout this process focus was given to incident investigation, statistical analysis, end users involvement, awareness campaigns, alternative transport modes, speed enforcement, radar monitoring systems, audits, inspections of road network and systems, community outreach programs, education and enforcement. Results As a result a high-level awareness road safety “Zero Tolerance Visibility Program” was introduced with input from the local traffic department, business partners and industry road safety experts. Between 2007 and 2014, road traffic crashes were reduced by 85% cumulatively. The strategies proved to be successful by: (1) the reduction in fatalities from one fatality in 2007 to zero fatalities during the period of 2008 to 2014; and (2) a notable reduction in road traffic crashes from 1,540 in 2007 to 278 in 2014. Conclusions Overall the Zero Tolerance Visibility Program implemented during 2007 yielded positive results. With continuous improvement of the vision for safer roads, further reductions in road traffic crashes will be achievable. Furthermore, these strategies may also be suitable for application in other workplaces similar to Ras Laffan Industrial areas.

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/content/journals/10.5339/jlghs.2015.itma.103
2015-11-12
2024-03-29
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