Government promises first road safety strategy in more than a decade

The first road safety strategy in over a decade will be published by the Government after saying the number of deaths on UK roads has become “normalised”.

The Department for Transport (DfT) published final figures for reported road casualties in Great Britain, in September.

They showed there were 1,624 fatalities in 2023, a decline of 5% compared to the previous year. 

Some 29,711 people were killed or seriously injured (KSI), little change compared to 2022, while there were 132,977 casualties of all severities, a decline of 2% year-on-year.

The DfT data also showed that 75% of fatalities and 61% of casualties of all severities were male. 

Transport secretary, Louise Haigh, told MPs on the Transport Committee: “We have started the process to set in place the first road safety strategy in this country for over a decade. 

“We’re looking really carefully and taking evidence from other countries where they have Vision Zero to see what’s worked and adopt a whole system approach, because this can’t just be a Department for Transport owned policy. 

“It needs to be across Government, whether it be in education or the criminal justice system, to look at the most effective measures.”

Haigh says that the Government will prioritise those measures that are most effective. 

“I really think one death on our roads is too many,” she added. “I think we treat road safety in a way, as if it is somehow a natural accident. 

“I think if the numbers of people being killed or seriously injured our roads were happening in any other way, we'd be treating it as a pandemic – we have normalised it for too long.”

Haigh also revealed that the Government is considering setting up the country’s first-ever Road Safety Investigation Branch (RSIB).

“That is one of the measures that is being considered as part of the road safety strategy,” she said.

The previous administration announced in 2022 that it was intending to form the new investigative body, which would include a specialised team of inspectors who would look at how and why incidents happen and provide insight into how new technologies such as self-driving vehicles could be safely introduced to public roads. 

The branch, modelled on those in the rail, air and maritime industries, would investigate themes in the causes of collisions, as well as specific incidents of concern. 

It would also make independent safety recommendations to organisations such as Government and police forces to better shape the future of road safety policy.

Aaron Powell, fleet and logistics director at Speedy Hire, said: “We believe that safety should extend beyond the workplace and encompass all aspects of life, including our roads. 

“With thousands of preventable accidents each year, it is imperative that we collaborate with Government and industry partners to implement effective measures that can save lives, reduce injuries, and alleviate the economic burden of road traffic accidents.” 

Road death reduction slows

Road fatalities have reduced by just 9% in the last decade, compared to a drop of 47% in the previous decade, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

In a new report, ‘Safer Lives, Stronger Nation’, it reveals that injuries sustained from road traffic collisions are the third biggest cause of accident-related hospital admissions in England and road fatalities are the fourth most common cause of accidental death in the UK.

Caitlin Taylor, road safety manager at RoSPA, said: “Our new report shows that there is still much to do to improve safety on the UK’s roads. 

“Today, four people will tragically die on the road, and this is unacceptable. These fatalities and injuries are often preventable - they do not have to happen. 

“Time and time again we have seen the numbers of road incidences fall significantly after implementing the right improvements in legislation, technology, funding and enforcement.”  

In the summer, Brake chief executive Ross Morlock called on the new Government to implement a road safety strategy in a speech at its annual reception. 

The road safety charity is hosting its annual Road Safety Week next week (November 17-23). 

More than 3,300 organisations and individuals have already signed up to take part in Road Safety Week, which is offering employers and fleets free access to resources to help them reduce their road risk. 

Fleet News and Brake will each be holding webinars during Road Safety Week to help employers and fleets keep their drivers and other road users safe.

Find out from Fleet News how to minimise costs and keep drivers safe with a robust accident management strategy.