Congress Announcement and Call for Papers
According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2018), the lives of more than 1.25 million people are cut short as a result of road traffic accidents (RTAs) every year, which translates to approximately 3000 deaths per day. Between 20 and 50 million more people suffer non-fatal injuries, with many incurring disabilities as a result of their injury. Further, road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among people aged between 15 and 29 years. Road traffic accidents account for 85% of deaths and 90% of annual disability in low- and middle-income countries. But even more startling is the fact that 90% of the world's road fatalities occur in low- and middle-income countries, yet these countries possess only about 54% of the world's vehicles. And, the vulnerable road users (comprising pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists) are estimated to constitute half of those dying on the world’s roads; a true pointer that road traffic accidents is indeed a sure disease of development!
The burden of road traffic accidents is enormous. Accidents cost most countries 3% of their gross domestic product. And without sustained action, road traffic crashes are predicted to become the seventh leading cause of death by 2030. It is for this reason that the newly adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has set an ambitious target of halving the global number of deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents by 2020. As to whether this ambitious, yet noble target will succeed in preventing this public health catastrophe, remains to be seen.
Congress Objectives
To this end, the 4th International Psychology Congress (IPC2018) will be held in Kwale, Kenya between November 20th – November 23rd, 2018 as part of the global effort in the development of awareness and wisdom to address this global problematic phenomenon, which is not only a threat to life, but the very human existence. The congress theme is "Road Traffic Accidents and Transport Safety. Which Way Forward?”
The aim is to provide a platform for the exchange of ideas among local and international specialists in order to be able to cope with challenges related to road safety, accident prevention, and continuous improvement of road infrastructure; transport, the introduction of models and successful implementation of various activities for road/transport safety. Psychologists believe that high percentage of road traffic accidents can be prevented as a necessary condition for the path to preserving human life; which is also a priority of the joint action plan to increase road safety by the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020.
Specifically, the objectives of the congress are:
- To help harness data and information that will go a long way in helping develop effective road safety programs in Kenya, the East and Central African region, Africa and the rest of the world,
- To help formulate a series of recommendations to try to reduce the number of road traffic accidents in Kenya, the East and Central African region, Africa and the world,
- To introduce a seed project to the road transport industry and governmental officials from Kenya and the East and Central African region in terms of initiatives undertaken in the field of road transport; notably in professional qualification, access to the market, mutual recognition of standards, environmental friendliness, etc.
Congress Theme and Sub-Themes
The main theme of the congress is: Road Traffic Accidents and Transport Safety. Which Way Forward?
Sub-Themes include:
- The Psychology of Road Traffic Accidents
- Risk Factors in Road Traffic Accidents
- Human Behavior and Road/Traffic Safety
- Environmental Determinants of RTAs
- Socio-cultural/Socio-economic Determinants of RTAs
- The Influence of Drivers, Riders and Cyclists in Road Traffic Crashes
- Sustainable Transport and Road Safety
- Road Safety Legislation and Enforcement
- Financing Road Safety
- Road Safety Management
- Road Safety Technologies
- Post-Crash Response
- Psychological Consequences of RTAs, Injuries and Deaths
- Monitoring & Evaluation of Road Safety Programs at National and International Levels
- Challenges, Opportunities and Way Forward in Prevention and Control of RTAs
Learning Outcomes
The IPC2018 provides a platform where leading experts will explain the latest developments and provide insights into how to keep motorists, riders, cyclists and pedestrians safe; understand factors that could lead to an increase in RTAs; see how new technology can improve road/traffic safety standards; and learn how a “Safe Systems” approach could result in a significant decrease in road deaths. Specifically, participants will be able to:
- Listen to the latest from the experts in RTAs and Transport Safety
- Look closely at road safety education for professionals, drivers, riders, cyclists and other road users
- Explore accident reduction methods used across the world: what has worked?
- Develop comprehensive and practical road design and transport planning that enables better safety for users
- Learn driver psychology: young drivers and learning to drive
- Delve further into evidence based initiatives and policy developments
- Mitigate the risk to road users with greater awareness on alcohol and drugs, distractions and health issues
- Create a better road system to protect all the road users.
Expected Outcomes
At the end of the congress, we hope to bring on the table;
- Critical scientific data on Road Traffic Accidents: causes, militating factors, solutions, prevention, & control.
- Policy recommendations emanating from congress presentations and the utilization of these recommendations to strengthen the existing approaches while developing new ways to prevent and control road traffic accidents.
- Strategic partnerships and lasting networks among policy makers, key stakeholders, road contractors, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, financing institutions and investment firms, road agency engineers & managers, and researchers and academics on global road traffic accidents and transport safety.
- A SEED project to the road transport industry and governmental officials from Kenya and the East and Central African region in terms of initiatives undertaken in the field of road transport; notably in professional qualification, access to the market, mutual recognition of standards, environmental friendliness.
- Publication of position papers on the causes, prevention and control of road traffic accidents.
- Journal publication and publication of congress proceedings.
Invitation to Attend and Actively Participate in the Congress
To this end, the Society and the Congress Organizing Committee wishes to extend an invitation to you, your team and your organization in order to come and participate in the congress.
Who Should Attend?
Like with all international conferences, the 2018 congress will join all stakeholders who have a mandate and are committed to improving road safety and reducing traffic accidents in order to exchange best practices from effective action programs. It presents an opportunity to have more intersectoral collaboration for this important goal both within and between countries. Of particular interest are the following players;
- Road Contractors
- Equipment Manufactures
- Road Agency Engineers & Managers
- Engineering Consultants
- Technology Providers
- Financing Institutions and Investment Firms
- Behavioural Scientists
- Researchers & Academics
Benefits of Attending
By attending this congress you will benefit from:
- Awareness Creation through educational materials distributed to the congress participants;
- This is East and Central Africa’s leading international congress on Road Traffic Accidents and Transport Safety with the latest information in Road Traffic Accidents and Transport Safety: causes, incidence, prevention and control;
- Network, exchange and connect with specialties, policy makers, key stakeholders, road contractors, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, financing institutions and investment firms, road agency engineers & managers, and researchers and academics from all around the world, representing the whole spectrum of experts – from practitioners to advocates;
- Strengthen and share knowledge and learn about important topics in Road Traffic Accidents and Transport Safety control that will enable you to save your community – this through your encounters, inspiring scientific sessions that you will attend, and other Courses, proposed to follow in conjunction with the Congress.
- Have Fun. We have planned a rich tour programme of the lovely Kenyan Coast. Taking an extra day at the beginning or end of the congress to explore or visit friends in the region is also a great way to maximize the investment in travel. Never underestimate the power of a little fun mixed with some interesting people!