Case study: The Argentina Road Safety Project: lessons learned for the decade of action for road safety, 2011–2020

Raffo, Veronica Ines; Bliss, Tony; Shotten, Marc; Sleet, David A.; Blanchard, Claire · 2013 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.1177/1757975913502690

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Summary

This case study examines the Argentina Road Safety Project, illustrating how World Bank guidelines focused on institutional building can accelerate knowledge transfer, scale investment, and improve results within the context of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011–2020). The research addresses the critical need to treat road safety as a development priority in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where road crashes represent a major cause of death and economic loss. The paper argues that shifting from fragmented initiatives to a “Safe System” approach—aimed at eliminating deaths and serious injuries—requires strengthening national management systems and designating a lead agency to ensure sustainability and accountability. The study details the implementation of the Argentina Road Safety Project, which was designed to support the newly created Argentine National Road Safety Agency (ANSV). The project utilized a two-phase Adaptable Program Loan (APL) spanning 2010–2019, with Phase 1 (2010–2015) receiving US $38.5 million in investment. Key objectives included strengthening ANSV’s management capacity through national driver license and traffic record registries, increasing public awareness, improving emergency response services, enhancing traffic enforcement deterrence, and establishing a National Road Safety Observatory. The methodology involved a collaborative partnership between transport and health sectors, integrating police crash data with health sector data to improve reporting and evaluation. Findings indicate that the project successfully established institutional foundations for road safety management. The creation of unified national registries replaced disparate provincial systems, strengthening entry and exit measures for drivers and legitimizing ANSV’s role as the lead agency. The National Road Safety Observatory implemented standardized data collection protocols, such as the “Orange Form,” and developed tools for assessing highway safety risks and vehicle safety standards. Additionally, targeted police engagement campaigns addressed speeding, drunken driving, and seatbelt usage. Early performance indicators showed promise; for instance, the average death rate per million vehicle-kilometers on selected high-risk corridors decreased by nearly 30% between 2010 and 2012. The significance of this case study lies in its demonstration of how multilateral development banks can facilitate transformative road safety investments by focusing on institutional capacity and cross-sectoral collaboration. The authors conclude that establishing a strong, empowered lead agency is vital for coordinating national efforts and achieving sustainable improvements. The project’s innovative features, including health-transport sector integration and the use of health-based evaluation metrics, provide a model for other LMICs. The paper offers supplementary guidelines to assist future initiatives, emphasizing that robust institutional frameworks and data systems are prerequisites for effective road safety strategies.

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• traffic safety culture