Increasing Road Safety in Argentina

Increasing Road Safety in Argentina ⌵

Objective ⌵

In 2010, with a GRSF grant and advisory support, the World Bank launched a $38.5 million road safety initiative in Argentina. The objective was to reduce road traffic injuries, crashes and fatalities by strengthening the institutional framework and management capacity on selected pilot corridors.

Three main components contributed to the development of a safe system in Argentina:

• Institutional Capacity-Building: Provided support to the lead road safety agency with the goal of improving response capacity in emergencies and post-crash care, as well as strengthening traffic control and enforcement and conducting communication, awareness and education campaigns

• Demonstration Corridors and Incentive Fund Program: Operated a “Safe Corridors” program to increase safety on 458 kilometers of high-risk road network. In addition, an incentive fund was established to implement and develop road safety policies and practices in the demonstration corridors.

• Road Safety Monitoring and Evaluation System Within the National Road Safety Observatory: Supported by a GRSF grant, this crash data system incorporates best practice guidelines using a peer-based mentoring program; it initiated a pilot training/twinning arrangement between the Agenzia Nazionale per la Sicurezza del Volo (ANSV) National Observatory and the Spanish Directorate General of Traffic (DGT).

Strengthened Argentina’s institutional framework and management capacity for road safety, including the launch of a National Driver Licensing and Infraction System and the National Road Safety Observatory.

• 35% reduction of road traffic fatalities in selected pilot corridors between FY2010 and FY2015.

• 12% reduction in the national road traffic death rate for every 100,000 inhabitants.

• 36% increased of national seat belt use from 2011-2014, while national motorcycle helmet rates increased from 39% to 62%.