Click on the image above to discover RoSPA's rich heritage in the form of our interactive Heritage Timeline.
RoSPA Anniversaries
- 1921 - The London "Safety First" Council called on the police to collect accident data and publish their findings.
- 1931 - The Ministry of Transport began to issue the Highway Code with RoSPA represented on the committee which compiled the code.
- 1941 - The association changed its title to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents with the agreement of the King.
- 1951 - Mobile exhibitions and a daylight cine van were visited by 320,000 people around the country.
- 1961 - The Tufty Club for under fives was launched.
- 1971 - The first issue of Occupational Safety & Health was published. The Government decided to make local authorities responsible for road safety.
- 1981 - RoSPA's president Lord Nugent of Guildford succeeded in introducing seatbelt legislation through an amendment to the Transport Bill. The League of Safe Drivers was incorporated into the society and renamed RoSPA Advanced Drivers Association.
- 1991 - After a five-year RoSPA campaign the Government finally agreed to make it mandatory for domestic appliances to be sold with fitted plugs.
- 2001 - In Europe RoSPA lobbied for a directive of pedestrian-friendly fronts for new cars. Enlightened companies began to ban their company vehicle drivers from using mobile phones while driving.
History of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
Following a public meeting in Caxton Hall in 1916 it was decided to elect a London "Safety First" Council to tackle the "alarming increase in traffic accidents, and the direct connection therewith of the restricted street lighting which had been necessitated by the War conditions".
So began the organisation which was to become the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.
Browse our history:
Special Features:
- RoSPA's World War 2 Safety Posters
During World War 2, RoSPA produced a series of accident prevention posters aimed at workers in the industrial factories and workshops supplying the British war effort.
- How belting up became law
Belting up is now second nature to most people when they get in a vehicle but it took many years of campaigning to get the first law on seat belts on the statute books.
- Tufty
Is Tufty still alive and well? Yes, Tufty is still with us and here you can read his life story, read memories of Tufty Club members and even buy Tufty products.
RoSPA's work benefits greatly from the support of the public. Please click here to donate to RoSPA, or post your donations to RoSPA Donations, 28 Calthorpe Road, Birmingham B15 1RP. Or why not raise money for RoSPA through a sponsorship or fundraising event? If you are interested in fundraising for us, please contact Charlotte Heap, Campaigns Officer on +44 (0)121 248 2076 or ceheap@rospa.com
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