RoSPA’s Vision for Road Safety
A society in which everyone is able to travel on the road safely, and in which road users respect each other’s rights and behave responsibly and considerately.
This requires:
Co-ordinated Road Safety Strategies and Targets
Continuing Government commitment to the national Road Safety Strategy, as part of the UK’s overall transport policy, supported by all Government Departments (but particularly the Departments of Transport, Education and Health, and the Home Office) and the Devolved Administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with regular reviews to ensure that the Strategies are being implemented as effectively as possible.
A co-ordinated national, regional and local approach to implement the Road safety Strategy between all stakeholders, particularly local government, Police, industry, road user groups and voluntary organisations.
The provision of adequate resources for road safety linked to the implementation of national and local road safety strategies.
The continued development of a national road safety research strategy to provide evidence from which national and local road safety initiatives can be developed and evaluated, and to ensure that cost-effective and best practice measures are adopted.
Enhanced international co-operation between governments and others to enable the UK to learn from the successful policies of other countries and to promote the effective road safety work of the UK.
The development of effective recruitment and training strategies, and a progressive career structure, for road safety professionals to attract and keep high quality staff in the profession.
Safer Driving
The continuing development of the UK’s driver training, testing and licensing regime towards a Graduated Licensing System which includes:
Learner drivers undertaking structured training with a professional driving instructor (supported where possible by private practice under the supervision of a qualified driver, such as a parent) that places considerable emphasis on the development of hazard perception skills and positive driving attitudes as well as vehicle control skills.
Novice drivers being subject to restrictions on unsupervised driving for a period after passing the driving test, to reduce their exposure to the factors that are most dangerous to them (e.g., speed, alcohol, night driving, carrying passengers).
Experienced drivers undertaking regular refresher training and re-assessments of their driving skills, habits and attitudes.
Older drivers receiving appropriate education to raise awareness that driving ability gradually changes with age, to help plan for changes in driving (and ultimately for giving up driving).
Improved Road Safety Education and Training
The development of a spiral curriculum to provide appropriate road safety education to all children, beginning with pedestrian safety education and practical pedestrian training, followed by cyclist safety education and practical cyclist training and then motorised vehicle safety covering two-wheeled motor vehicles and car driving.
A continuing commitment to research into how young people and adults learn about safety and risk, and the development of the holistic approach of ‘Whole School Safety’, supported by an integrated approach to safety and risk across the Curriculum in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland with particular focus on acquiring relevant skills and promoting positive attitudes to safety. (See RoSPA ‘Vision’ for Safety and Risk Education).
Safer Motor Vehicle Design and Construction
The development of international legislation and standards to ensure that maximum safety, for vehicle occupants and for people outside the vehicle, is a fundamental feature of vehicle design, and to ensure that new technology (such as navigation aids) helps drivers and riders without increasing risk (for example, by causing distraction).
The continuing development and implementation of Intelligent Speed Adaptation technology, so that vehicles are ultimately unable to exceed the posted speed limits.
Safer Road Design
A road environment in which different types of roads are safe and suitable for their function, provide appropriate information to road users about speed and which are safe for vulnerable road users (pedestrians, pedal cyclists, motorcyclists, horse riders).
Increased implementation of road safety engineering schemes based on proven accident data.
The development and implementation of effective speed management strategies for rural roads.
Co-ordinated Law and Enforcement
The development of the legal system to ensure that appropriate charges are levelled at offenders, that penalties reflect the degree of negligence involved and one which incorporates re-training and re-testing measures to address the attitudes and behaviour of convicted offenders in order to reduce the likelihood of re-offending.
The development of roads policing as a core objective of all Police Forces, and best practice for delivering a traffic policing service to act as a deterrent to careless and dangerous behaviour on the road.
Management of Occupational Road Risk
The promotion and implementation of effective policies for the Management of Occupational Road Risk within their overall health and safety systems, in which employers address the risk created and faced by their staff who use the road for work purposes.
For all Road Safety enquiries telephone: +44 (0)121 248 2000 or email: help@rospa.com
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