Road Safety Advocacy: Action Research in Schools

Hossein Matlabi

Sadegh Ghasemzadeh

Seyedeh Maryam Sadighian.

ObjectiveStudents traffic accidents usually occur outside school environment. Less attention and lack of safety monitoring programs of the Ministry of Health and Education for schools is the main issue about accidents prevention approaches.

This study was performed to optimize schools road safety in Charoimagh, north- west of Iran.

Methods:This study was an action research to optimize safety at school. With the participation of the Education, Health Center, City Hall, the traffic police and the city council and school principals were implemented.

Initial studies showed that schools with input from major sites of traffic accidents have been reported. Default Failure to comply with the standards of the traffic at the entrance of the school, in partnership with stakeholders to improve the school entrance was scheduled

Methods:

• Attainable standards such as pedestrian crosswalks, speed reducer, students crossing warning signs, pavement design was considered. The school principals and heads of departments concerned, are invited to meet separately and photos taken from the school entrance and objectives of the study were explained. Sum of expected actions, the departments concerned, was sent. The measures were evaluated and the necessary modifications were done.

Preliminary investigation :

1.Five schools had not pedestrian crosswalks. 2.Ten schools had no warning signs, crossing warning signs the students for their vehicles. 3.Furthermore, one school was also the old boards that need to be painted.4. Two schools had no sidewalk. Three schools had sidewalks that should be renewed.5. Regarding to speed reducer, four schools were in need of renovation and painting. 6.Two schools have had the need to create headland at the entrance of the fence

2.Advocacy:

• Education and training centre• health centre• traffic police• city council • school principals

intervention:

• All schools (n=11) in the city were investigated and school principals and heads of departments were engaged. Attainable standards such as pedestrian crosswalks, road speed reducer, students crossing warning signs, pavement design were considered and the necessary modifications were implemented.

The 11 schools surveyed:

Results :• After the intervention, • 100% of the 6 schools pedestrian crosswalks, or did they need to be

painted, was modified. • For two schools of 10 schools, no warning signs, signs were

installed and one that needs to be re-painted, have been modified. • In (18.18%), 2 schools, a move to the sidewalk pedestrians, were

not performed.• And only 3 cases that meet the needs of the disadvantages of using

the modified (27.27%).The speed reducer, who were in need of renovation and painting. 4, was modified (36.36%). And 7speed reducer (63.63%) was added.

• These actions by the municipality and the traffic police were involved. And the governor, City Council, Department of Education, Office of Public Health Center for their follow- up.

Conclusion: Advocacy and participation of organisationsare the main strategies for road safety programs which can lead to further progress in the field of health promotion.

Thanks for your attention