"Joined up" action needed to cut road deaths

A hard-hitting report from the House of Commons Transport Select Committee today sets road safety aspirations that will demand strong integrated leadership from the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Home Office, said the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists).

The IAM - the UK's leading independent road safety charity - said that the TSC identifies the need to focus on the known high priority areas to produce real progress in road safety over the next two decades.

The report highlights areas on which the IAM has long campaigned. These include action on:

· deaths on rural roads

· the appalling toll of death and injury among young male drivers

· better training for fleet drivers

· further driver, rider and cycle training.

Neil Greig, Director of IAM Policy and Research, said:- "The Committee has been courageous in pointing out where the UK is failing on road safety. Sustaining success in reducing casualties requires 'joined up' action and consistent funding by key government departments. Critically, we must focus on where the biggest reductions in death and injury can be achieved by implementing improvements in infrastructure that deliver sustainable accident reductions.

Planning to reduce deaths and injury requires a clear vision and reliable data. On both counts the Committee shows that much needs to be done to involve the general population in target setting and to highlight the complex human failings that lead to crashes.

Simplistic solutions based on the assumption that speeding causes most crashes have skewed policy for years and may have led to an over reliance on safety cameras, and on penalties rather than deterrence. The proposed British Road Safety Survey, Road Safety Commission and road crash investigation body must help to harness the appropriate resources and focus effort where they will be most effective. Consistent enforcement and a long-term commitment to improve driving and motorcycling skills must underpin the government's next road safety targets," added Mr Greig.

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