ACRS CEO Dr Ingrid Johnston recently travelled to South Africa to attend Safety 2026 – the 16th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, connecting with road safety, injury prevention and public health leaders from around the world.
Held under the theme “Ubuntu: United for a Safer Future,” the conference brought together policy makers, researchers, practitioners, academics, community organisations and international agencies to explore the structural, social and commercial drivers of injury and violence, and the evidence-based solutions needed to prevent harm.
The African philosophy of Ubuntu – centred on interconnectedness, shared humanity and mutual support – provided a fitting foundation for discussions about the importance of collective action and shared responsibility in creating safer communities.
For ACRS, the conference provided an important opportunity to strengthen international connections and introduce the College and its work to potential members, partner organisations and other road safety professionals.
Dr Johnston promoted several ACRS initiatives designed to strengthen road safety knowledge and capability, including the ACRS Capacity Building Program and the Road Safety Body of Knowledge, as well as the introductory e-Learning course, What is Road Safety? The Essentials.
The conference’s focus on multisectoral collaboration, evidence-based policy, capacity building and knowledge sharing strongly aligns with ACRS’s commitment to supporting road safety professionals and advancing evidence-based approaches to preventing road trauma.
Participation in Safety 2026 also provided opportunities to build relationships with organisations and professionals working across injury prevention, transport, public health and related fields, and to explore how ACRS resources and expertise can support road safety capacity internationally.
Through international engagement such as Safety 2026, ACRS continues to contribute to the exchange of knowledge, strengthen professional capability and support the global effort to create safer transport systems and communities.
Note: Dr Johnston’s travel to South Africa and attendance at Safety 2026 were funded by a grant received by ACRS.
