Transportation, traffic safety and health. The new mobility : First International Conference, Göteborg, Sweden, 1995

Minister Ines Uusmann The Swedish Ministry of Transport and Communication The post-industrial society is to a great extent characterized by a tremendous growth in transportation. The freedom to move is a central and fundamental human value. Transportation together with communication are the most important prerequi­ sites for increasing the level of human interaction and mobility over time and space, giving us the possi­ bility to seek knowledge, experience and social con­ tacts. At the same time that mo­ bility has increased we have also witnessed an associ­ ated growth in health prob­ lems. The number of seri­ ous injuries and fatalities caused by road traffic is un­ acceptable. Great efforts have been made to reduce these figures and a down­ ward trend has been visible in most countries over the last 20 years. Still, there re­ mains lots to be done. VI Minister Ines Uusmann The road transport infrastructure is the least forgiving human­ machine system used by people today. In Sweden it kills and causes long-term injuries to approximately five percent of the popula­ tion. In some countries this figure is over twenty percent. Unlike more modem human-machine systems the road system relies upon individuals following norms, laws and rules that are in force. It is taken for granted that people are sensible, careful and always make the right decisions. The modern society is to a great extent characterized by a tremendous growth in transportation. The freedom to move is a central and fundamental human value. Transportation together with communication are the most important factors for increasing the level of mobility and human interaction. As mobility has increased an associated growth in health problems has been witnessed. The number of fatalities and serious injuries caused by road traffic is unacceptable. Great efforts have been made to reduce these figures and a downward trend has been visible in most countries. Still, a lot remains to be done. This collection of contributions by scientists and administrators presents some of the latest findings in the area of mobility and its relation to medical treatment, rehabilitation, public health and prevention. Front Matter....Pages I-X Introduction....Pages 1-8 The New Mobility....Pages 9-17 Traffic Safety as a Health Issue....Pages 19-36 The Zero Vision....Pages 37-57 Prevention and Integration of Knowledge in Neurotraumatic Injuries....Pages 59-72 The Swedish National Road Safety Programme — A New Approach to Road Safety Work....Pages 73-86 Prevention in the Context of Culture....Pages 87-98 Socio-Cultural Considerations in Devising Traffic Safety Strategies....Pages 99-114 Traffic Safety in an Aging Society....Pages 115-133 The Evolution of Transport Safety in the US....Pages 135-159 Traffic Safety and the Vehicle....Pages 161-180 Psychosocial Factors in Traffic Safety....Pages 181-202 Whiplash: An Important Agenda for the Future....Pages 203-223 Back Matter....Pages 225-228 Preface H. von Holst, A. Nygren, R. Thord: Introduction A.E. Andersson: The New Mobility R. Martinez: Traffic Safety as a Health Issue C. Tingvall: The Zero Vision H. von Holst: Prevention and Integration of Knowledge in Neurotraumatic Injuries K. Rumar: The Swedish National Road Safety Programme L. Sachs: Prevention in the Context of Culture E. von Hirsch: Socio-Cultural Considerations in Devising Traffic Safety Strategies K. Johansson: Traffic Safety in an Aging Society T.R. Lakshmanan: The Evolution of Transport Safety in the US H. Norin: Traffic Safety and the Vehicle L. Carroll: Psychological Factors in Traffic Safety A. Nygren: D. Cassidy, Whiplash: an important Agenda for the Future Contributors to this Volume. Modern society is, to a great extent, characterised by a tremendous growth in transportation -- the freedom to travel is a central and fundamental human value. As mobility has increased so have health problems. The number of fatalities and serious injuries caused by road traffic is unacceptable, and, while a downward trend is visible in most countries, there still remains a lot to be done. This collection of contributions by scientists and administrators presents some of the latest findings in the area of mobility and its relation to medical treatment, rehabilitation, public health and prevention. First International Conference, Göteborg, Sweden, 1995