Social Model Approach to Road Safety

South Australia’s Road Safety Strategy reflects and endeavours to strengthen the social model for road safety. The social model approach acknowledges the social systems which we live in and how individuals, organisations, government and community culture impact on road safety outcomes.

Core to its approach is a collaborative effort across private, not for profit and public sector agencies at the local, state and federal level. The social model also values the contribution of the broader South Australian community in achieving road safety outcomes and acknowledges that road safety is a complex issue that deserves and requires a complex strategy.

The social model approach has many benefits, including:

  • positioning road safety as everyone’s business, reaching beyond traditional lines of responsibility (i.e. relevant across disciplines, not just the transport sector);
  • increased capacity for action through shared ownership of the issue, leveraging on stakeholder networks and influence;
  • cultural change towards road safety, leading to long term and self-sustained commitment and contribution to road safety as an inherent part of everyday life; and
  • a model that is complementary to the Safe Systems approach to road safety

There are five layers under the social model.1

LayerDescription
1

System/Public Policy Approach

A systemic cross agency lens of how governmental policies, legislation and investments contribute to road safety outcomes.

2

Community Approach

This layer emphasises a grass root community led action. For example, a local sporting community promoting the use of a designated driver for after sports celebrations.
3

Organisational Response

Consideration for how organisations establish systems that support a culture of road safety. For example, establishing policies and procedures for safe travel of employees both in and outside of work hours.
4

Interpersonal Functions

A relationships driven approach to influencing an individual, organisation or sector to establish a culture of road safety. For example, supporting school leadership to establish a culture of road safety amongst the local parent community.
5

Individual Functions

This layer focuses on the attitudes and behaviours of the individual and how behaviours demonstrate taking responsibility for oneself.