Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has launched its own manifesto calling on all road safety professionals to work together to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the UK’s roads.

In 2015 the number of people killed and seriously injured on the UK’s roads was 1,730, showing little reduction from the previous four years.

In its 12 point manifesto, IAM RoadSmart urges legislators, car makers, social media and smartphone companies to work with road users on practical solutions to address driver distraction, especially smartphone usage and interactive dashboard information availability.

The charity also highlights road safety at work as a critical health and safety issue that requires higher priority and one which should be at the core of good corporate governance for every employer.

Making informed procurement choices is seen as 'vital', with the manifesto urging the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to implement cross-government procurement rules which accelerates the uptake of safe new vehicles with features such as autonomous emergency braking.

New drivers are also included with IAM RoadSmart calling for further changes to post-driving test driving rules and supporting a 12 month minimum learning period for new drivers.

The charity has also called for a reduction in the drink-drive limit in England and Wales, matching that already in place for Scotland.

On our highways, IAM RoadSmart is calling on local councils and central Government to protect long-term funding to 'finally eradicate the road maintenance backlog'.

Sarah Sillars, IAM RoadSmart chief executive officer, said: “The UK has one of the best road safety records in Europe, but still 1,730 people a year are killed. We believe by working together with Government and the road safety ‘industry’ we can deliver a step change in road safety and significantly reduce the fatalities and injuries which occur daily on our roads.”

IAM RoadSmart’s full manifesto is as follows:

  • IAM RoadSmart believes partnership is the best way to get our accident figures heading downwards again. With widespread support the ‘Road Safety Industry Consortium’ can help reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads.
  • IAM RoadSmart believes driver distraction is now a top priority safety issue. We want legislators, car makers, social media and smartphone companies to work with road users on practical solutions.
  • IAM RoadSmart supports more research on the transition to driverless cars and on the education and training challenges their introduction will bring.
  • IAM RoadSmart supports raising the licence renewal age to 75 with a compulsory eye test. Family doctors should be encouraged to ‘prescribe’ driving reviews for older drivers.
  • IAM RoadSmart believes road safety at work is a critical health and safety issue that requires higher priority at the Health and Safety Executive and should be at the core of good corporate governance for every employer.
  • IAM RoadSmart wants Defra to implement cross-government procurement rules which accelerates the uptake of safe new vehicles with features such as autonomous braking. Public and private sector companies should only issue contracts to firms with driver risk management policies in place.
  • IAM RoadSmart will promote motorcycling as a safe mode of transport that can help solve congestion and pollution problems.
  • IAM RoadSmart knows that experience is the key to a safe driving career and supports a 12 month minimum learning period for new drivers.
  • IAM RoadSmart is convinced that a reduction in the drink-drive limit in England and Wales will save lives.
  • IAM RoadSmart encourages all highway authorities to aim towards a minimum ‘three star’ risk rating on their ‘A’ roads.
  • IAM RoadSmart wants local councils and central Government to protect long-term funding that will eradicate the road maintenance backlog.
  • IAM RoadSmart wants a Brexit deal that maintains the UK’s exemplary road safety record and does not add additional burdens to drivers and riders. visiting the EU.

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