The initiative was proclaimed by the UN in March 2010 and calls on countries to increase national and global action to save lives on the world’s roads and to improve their road safety action. They are encouraged to develop road safety strategies and programmes, and to set ambitious road safety goals.
“This greater focus on road safety around the world is very good news, and very important. Sweden already has the lowest per capita road fatalities in the world but we still have some major challenges to overcome to achieve ‘Vision Zero’ for road traffic,” says Minister for Infrastructure Catharina Elmsäter-Svärd.
In an international perspective, Sweden is a world leader, with 2.8 fatalities per 100 000 inhabitants. This is the result of long-term systematic road safety initiatives including major investments in central barriers, speed limits, improved safety for children and unprotected road users, and measures to prevent drink-driving.
There is great interest in systematising and increasing knowledge of how innovations are spread and how road safety improvement measures can be implemented effectively in road traffic situations. The Swedish Transport Administration, Chalmers University of Technology and VINNOVA have therefore taken a joint decision to establish the Vision Zero Academy, which has the potential to develop into a global knowledge hub and further strengthen Sweden’s position in the area. An international Vision Zero conference will be held in Sweden next year. Read More
