A focus on young drivers, the Safe System and stakeholder cooperation are all part of progress being made in road safety planning.
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By John Challen
There are many initiatives in place from numerous organisations to improve levels of safety on and around the UK’s road network. One of the people working hard in this area to make a difference is Dr Elizabeth Box, Research Director at the RAC Foundation, and CIHT Technical Champion, who has particular interest in people who have just received their licence.
“For road safety, one of the most important elements to highlight is the safe systems approach, which involves creating a road network where human error doesn’t result in death or serious injury,” she explains. “Operationalising this approach is key and CIHT plays an important role in bringing together what can sometimes be disparate parts of the sector to achieve this goal.”
Within the RAC Foundation, Box says her department sits between academia and policy development and is hopeful for progress with road safety improvements.
“One of our important roles is to translate the research into practice,” she explains. “Right now, we've got a new government, which has committed to putting in place a new road safety strategy. We’ve not had a strategy for some time, so this is a very welcome development.”
Box stresses that a unified voice between all areas is crucial when it comes to addressing key road safety issues. “CIHT has contributed to this goal through initiatives such as the recent Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) manifesto, which helps ensure that we are speaking with a cohesive and clear message on national strategies,” she enthuses.
“We know that certain elements of a road safety strategy, like enforcement and targeting high-risk groups such as young drivers and motorcyclists have the potential to significantly reduce collisions and injuries,” says Box. “However, there is also an urgent need for improvements in governance to achieve lasting impact.”
One of the areas Box and her team have been focused on within the RAC Foundation is what a graduated driver licensing system could look like in practice: “Our recent policy proposal suggests that a revised licensing system could include a six-month minimum learning period, followed by a further six-month period where drivers couldn't carry passengers under the age of 25 unless they were with an older adult.
“We have suggested that drivers who violate this restriction would face six penalty points, resulting in both an enforcement penalty and immediate disqualification.”
Antoneta Horbury, Director of Policy and Technical Affairs, CIHT adds:
Graduated driving licences are a progressive licencing system that can support young drivers in limiting high-risk driving. This measure can reduce fatalities by up to 40%. CIHT support Graduated Driving Licences in principle, but would like to see the specific details of how they will be implemented and enforced.
Meanwhile, the commitment by the Department for Transport (DfT) to the development of a national road safety strategy is a very positive step, says Box. “CIHT, as a leading professional body, also has the opportunity to convene, support collaboration, and bring members’ local perspectives into these broader national discussions,” she adds. “This ensures that road safety policies are shaped by both practical local insights and sound national strategies.
“It’s important to bring together a diverse range of expertise, including insights at the local level. While a proposal might seem promising in theory, those with local knowledge can highlight challenges that may not have been initially considered or addressed, ensuring more effective and realistic solutions.
“Leveraging the expertise of CIHT members is crucial, as their on-the-ground knowledge provides valuable insights that other experts might overlook.”
CIHT has published a policy briefing on speed management and is currently working on a report on Progressing the UK Towards Safe System Implementation.
Newsletter image: magnetic new driver plate on car; credit: Shutterstock.
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