International Safer Roads
Conference 2008

The 2nd International Safer Roads Conference was a resounding success with delegates attending from 28 countries, all of whom returned home with the clear message they have a vital part to play in making the world's roads safer.

Working to the main conference theme of "reducing accidents, saving lives" the underlying message was that engineers are lifesavers and that society is still too tolerant of death and injury on the roads.

Stakeholders from diverse backgrounds such as the emergency services, horse riders, motor cyclists and motoring organisations, called for greater interaction between all parties and more appropriate funding to deliver smooth, grippy surfaces and a more forgiving environment.

A number of speakers challenged assumptions on traditional methods and focussed on the need to recognise the different needs of different types of road users, particularly pedestrians, who are most at risk. There were suggestions for segregating users and for drivers to take more responsibility, with greater education and enforcement.

The Conference provided a tremendous opportunity to share best practice and exchange knowledge, as well as get a greater understanding of how aggregate size, texture and skid resistance contribute to safer roads.

Climate change was one of the main topics - speakers talked about the effects of multiple dry summers in decreasing skid resistance and the expectation this would continue and influence more of the world. The key question to arise from the Conference was how to maintain the same standards in face of a changing environment?

The 3rd International Safer Roads Conference is likely to be held in Australia in 2011.

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