APPLYING THE VISION ZERO APPROACH TO CHILD ROAD SAFETY: EVIDENCE FROM THE AUTONOMOUS PROVINCE OF VOJVODINA

Child road safety is a major public health concern requiring a systematic approach to preventing traffic accident fatalities and serious injuries. This paper examines the application of the Vision Zero approach to child road safety in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia. The study combines a review of relevant literature and strategic documents with a quantitative analysis of traffic accident data for 2019–2024. Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyse child casualties by severity, road user category, gender, and temporal and spatial characteristics. A total of 2.223 child casualties were recorded during the study period, including 18 fatalities, 260 serious injuries, and 1.945 minor injuries. The findings highlight the need for a comprehensive, evidence-based approach that addresses children's specific vulnerabilities. Implementing Vision Zero requires strong political commitment, effective inter-institutional coordination, safer infrastructure, traffic law enforcement, and continuous road safety education. Vision Zero provides a strategic framework for developing coordinated measures and local programmes to improve child road safety in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina.