Using an evidence-based safety approach to develop China's road safety strategies

Background Road accidents are a major global public safety and health problem. Presently, many countries such as China urgently need to find better strategies to improve their road safety. This paper has two key objectives, which are: (i) to propose potential solutions to improve China's road safety, and (ii) to provide China and other countries with helpful evidence for their future road safety. Methods This study attempts to use an evidence-based safety approach to propose some potential strategies for China's road safety. Results First, the current status of China's road safety was analyzed. Second, major road safety problems in China were identified and discussed. Finally, this paper illustrates China's road safety strategies based on available evidence. Conclusions Presently and in the future, China's road safety is facing a series of problems, such as increasing road safety management pressure, the weak road safety management foundation, and the lack of government supervision. To improve road safety, China should adopt a comprehensive strategy, which includes road safety risk prevention and control, road safety legislation, road safety supervision, road safety research and its application, road safety propaganda and education, and road safety culture, etc.