Assertion on the New Road Safety Strategy

We welcome the UK Government’s publication of the primary nationwide Road Safety Strategy in additional than a decade. With almost 30,000 folks shedding their lives or struggling life-changing accidents on our roads every year, the street security group stands prepared to assist make sure that this technique delivers significant and lasting change. Preventing these tragedies is not going to solely spare households and pals’ profound loss however may even scale back the numerous social and financial prices borne by the nation.

Before the final election, greater than 100 organisations united to name on all political events to undertake a focused, prioritised, and achievable motion plan to reverse the present stagnation in street security efficiency (see Manifesto for Road Safety). The Government has beforehand dedicated to that decision, and this technique represents an vital step in direction of honouring that promise.

A key end result of in the present day’s publication might be renewed collaboration between nationwide and native authorities, trade, researchers, campaigners, and communities. Working collectively, we will maximise the affect of the technique and enhance security for each street person.

A strategic response to street trauma is crucial to delivering the Government’s broader ambitions. Road collisions price the NHS an estimated £3 billion every year and impose a wider annual societal price of £55 billion—round 2% of GDP. Safer journey reduces carbon emissions and opens up fairer entry to schooling, employment, and social participation. Meanwhile, new applied sciences, together with synthetic intelligence, can broaden mobility choices, enhance independence, bolster productiveness, and assist create safer streets.

It is encouraging to see the technique recognise the necessity for constant motion throughout 4 essential areas:

1. A nationwide technique underpinned by formidable targets, targeted on prevention, safety, and post-collision response
   The inclusion of clear and impressive targets (65% discount of KSIs and 70% reductions within the variety of baby KSIs by 2035) is strongly welcomed. Targets sign dedication, and worldwide proof reveals they assist drive actual reductions in deaths and critical accidents. Progress within the UK has plateaued since 2010, and now we have fallen behind different main nations. Aligning with the globally recognised Safe System strategy—endorsed by the United Nations—is due to this fact important to attaining systemic, sustainable enhancements.
2. Establishing a Road Safety Investigation Branch to study from incidents and stop future tragedies
   A devoted Road Safety Investigation Branch (RSIB) represents a serious step ahead. Systemic, impartial studying has lengthy been the norm in different transport sectors; it’s overdue on the roads. To be efficient, the RSIB should be empowered to research for trigger and studying slightly than blame. We look ahead to supporting the Government in designing the RSIB and making certain it evolves in keeping with finest follow from different security investigation our bodies.
3. Reviewing the licensing regime to guard younger and newly certified drivers
   Young drivers stay disproportionately in danger. In Great Britian drivers aged 17 – 24 signify solely 6% of licence holders, but they had been concerned in 24% of KSIs. Evidence from world wide reveals {that a} progressive licensing system—with minimal studying intervals, stronger coaching and testing, and focused restrictions—can scale back casualties by 20–40%. Public backing for reform is robust: latest analysis from the Road Safety Trust reveals that 72% of British adults help a phased licensing system. The Government has recognised the significance of this at-risk group and the consulting on the minimal studying interval is welcomed. We will proceed to advocate for a complete evaluate of the licensing and testing regime as Parliament considers subsequent steps on the extra measures wanted to Protect Young Drivers as this might be a key space to deal with to ship the overarching goal of a 65% discount of KSIs.
4. Ensuring all new autos are outfitted with confirmed, life-saving applied sciences
   The UK has been a world chief in evaluating superior automobile security options, and the proposed session on the 18 new security applied sciences for autos is significant to the success of the technique. Because the security advantages enhance because the automobile fleet turns over, early regulation is crucial. Decisive motion would restore the UK to its place among the many world leaders in automobile security.

The technique incorporates many additional commitments that can require detailed work earlier than they are often translated into laws, regulation, and native supply. We look ahead to working constructively with Government, Parliamentarians, and all stakeholders to make sure that this technique places the UK firmly again on the trail in direction of safer roads, stronger communities, and plenty of lives saved from hurt.

Andy MacNae MP, President of PACTS, says:

‘Every road death is an avoidable tragedy, yet 30,000 people die or are seriously injured on our roads every year, a figure that has hardly changed since 2010.  This Government has now stepped up, listened to our communities and addressed this challenge head on. This ambitious strategy, with clear targets that draw on proven best practice, aims to save over 19,000 people from death or serious injury a year by 2035 and I am proud to support it.’

Joy Allen, County Durham & Darlington Police and Crime Commissioner, says:

‘This technique is a welcome step ahead and displays years of calls from bereaved households, campaigners and street security professionals to take street hurt extra severely.

The actual take a look at now might be supply. Consultations on measures reminiscent of decrease drink-drive limits, harder motion on drug driving and swift sanctions for essentially the most harmful offenders should be firmly grounded in proof and backed by ample funding for schooling and enforcement, if we’re to discourage harmful drivers, save lives and stop critical accidents.’

Dan Campsall, Chair of the PACTS Board of Trustees, says:

‘After years of stagnation, we asked Government to deliver a new road safety strategy with ambitious targets and commitments to improve vehicle safety standards, licensing for young drivers and a dedicated investigation branch – today we have that strategy. There is clearly more detail to be worked out through a process of consultation and implementation, but we have turned a page and look forward to a safer future on our roads.’

Jamie Hassall, Executive Director of PACTS, says: 

‘PACTS called on the new government to deliver a new road safety strategy and asked for four key areas to be addressed. I’m happy to see all 4 areas have been coated and that the inclusion of stretching targets and a devoted Road Safety Investigation Branch places us on a path to cut back the street hurt and save hundreds of lives.’