What Is a Vision Zero Policy? Lessons from a Multi-sectoral Perspective

Kristianssen, Ann-Catrin; Andersson, Ragnar · 2023 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-76505-7_4

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Summary

This paper examines the conceptual definition and practical implementation of "Vision Zero" policies across five distinct Swedish sectors: road traffic safety, fire safety, patient safety, suicide prevention, and workplace safety. Originating from the Swedish road safety strategy adopted in 1997, Vision Zero aims to eliminate deaths and serious injuries. The authors address the research question of what constitutes a Vision Zero policy when applied beyond its original context, analyzing whether the core principles of the road safety model translate effectively to other fields. The study is motivated by the need to distinguish Vision Zero from other zero-tolerance approaches and to identify the determinants necessary for successful implementation in complex, multi-sectoral environments. The authors employ a comparative policy content analysis, utilizing a theoretical framework that categorizes policies by problem framing, goals, measures, and governing structures. They analyze national policy documents and strategies for each of the five sectors to identify similarities and differences in how the vision is operationalized. The analysis focuses on whether the policies adopt a "systems approach"—shifting responsibility from individual error to system design—and whether they include robust monitoring, scientific evidence, and long-term governance structures. The findings reveal significant variations in how Vision Zero is implemented. While all five policies share the goal of zero fatalities, their adherence to the core systems approach differs markedly. Road traffic safety and patient safety policies strongly emphasize shared responsibility and system design, acknowledging human fallibility. In contrast, fire safety and suicide prevention policies largely retain individual responsibility, lacking the comprehensive systems perspective central to the original Vision Zero concept. Furthermore, monitoring systems vary; road safety utilizes a rigorous management-by-objectives framework, whereas other sectors lack equivalent evaluation mechanisms. The authors note that internal support for the suicide policy was particularly weak among agencies, and fire safety policies were constrained by existing legal frameworks that prioritized individual liability. The study concludes that for a Vision Zero policy to be successful, it must meet four specific criteria: a scientific approach to problem framing, a comprehensive strategy, long-term commitment, and a governance structure based on system design. The authors argue that while these criteria are not strictly required to adopt the label of Vision Zero, they are prerequisites for building a functional system capable of achieving the goal. The paper highlights the risk of "building the ship at sea," where policies adopt the visionary label without the necessary structural and theoretical foundations, potentially leading to ineffective implementation. This analysis provides a critical framework for policymakers to ensure that Vision Zero remains a robust, evidence-based strategy rather than a superficial slogan.

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• traffic safety culture