Which approach is widely adopted for setting performance targets in road safety?

Benchmarking against similar regions is widely adopted for setting performance targets in road safety because it allows agencies to compare their safety performance metrics with those from regions that have similar characteristics, such as population size, traffic volume, and road conditions. This approach enables the identification of effective safety measures and practices that have been successful elsewhere, facilitating the adoption of evidence-based strategies tailored to local contexts.

When performance targets are established through benchmarking, it creates a framework for continuous improvement, encouraging local governments and organizations to strive for enhanced safety outcomes. The comparison can also highlight areas where a region may be underperforming, prompting targeted interventions to address specific safety concerns. This approach is effective because it combines data-driven insights with practical examples, fostering a culture of accountability and innovation in road safety initiatives.

Other methods, such as adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, can overlook the unique challenges and needs of a community, making them less effective. Not setting targets at all leaves a critical gap in accountability and progress monitoring, while relying solely on community perceptions can lead to subjective biases that do not necessarily reflect actual safety needs or outcomes. Hence, benchmarking stands out as a robust method for effectively setting and achieving road safety performance targets.