Donate My RoSPA
    Basket is empty.
Net Total: £0.00

Local Road Safety Advice

RoSPA frequently receives enquires from individuals and organisations regarding road safety issues. These are about a wide variety of issues, such as a hazardous junction, proposed changes to road design, a new development that will increase traffic, or the actions of road users, such as reckless driving and thoughtless parking.

To assist with local road safety concerns , we have developed some guidance, which is presented through a series of tiles below. By clicking on the tile that relates to the nature of your query, you will be directed to additional advice or to relevant organisations that can provide you with further assistance.


 

My concerns relate to...

 

 

Motorways

Motorways are statistically the safest roads in Great Britain. Despite carrying around a fifth of all traffic, motorways account for only 5% of fatalities on our roads. Motorways in England are typically managed by National Highways. Scottish roads are managed by Transport Scotland. Welsh roads are managed by the Welsh Government.

Find more about motorways here: 
 

 

A roads

A roads can be controlled by different bodies. In England, some roads will be managed by a local authority or Transport for London while others are part of the strategic road network (motorways and major A roads) and will be managed by National Highways.

In Wales, local roads are managed by the local authority and the trunk network (motorways and major A roads) are managed by the South Wales Trunk Road Agent and North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent, on behalf of the Welsh Government.

In Scotland, local roads are typically managed by the local authority and the trunk network (main roads that connect cities) is managed by Transport Scotland.

B and local roads

Local roads will often be managed by your local authority. If you are in England you can find out how to contact your local authority here, in Scotland here and in Wales here and in London here.

To report issues with damage to the road or obstructions on local roads then you can find out how to contact your council through the UK Government's report a pothole page or report a road obstruction page or through Transport for London in London.

Roadworks, overgrown vegetation or other street issues

To report issues with damage to the road or obstructions on local roads then you can find out how to contact your council through the UK Government's report a pothole page or report a road obstruction page or through Transport for London in London.

 

Junctions

RoSPA is not able to comment on specific roads or junctions. If you would like to have an independent safety audit carried out on a junction or set of roadworks, there are commercial consultancies, such as TMS consultancy, that do conduct road safety audits of roads or junctions. These do come at a cost, and there is no guarantee that their recommendations would support your case.

Active Travel

The Hub is divided into different sections for each audience, as well as having a section dedicated to policy and research. Find out more about our Active Travel Hub here:
 


 

Concerns about dangerous driving or speeding

 

Concerns about speeding on local roads

Your local council is responsible for setting local speed limits. You can find out how to contact them here.

If you have concerns about someone speeding then you can report the incident to the police, phone 101 or report the incident online.

RoSPA has also produced an guide on Community speed complaints

Report an incident

If you witness dangerous driving, you can report a bad driver to the police. Call 999 if the dangerous driving is in progress and you think that the driver could cause serious injury to themselves or others. 

If you are reporting after the incident, phone 101 or report the incident online.

If you have footage of the incident on a dashcam, you can submit this footage, too. Operation SNAP allows members of the public to submits photo or video evidence relating to traffic offences. It operates throughout Wales and through certain police force areas in England. You can find out how to upload your evidence through a quick internet search or find your local police force here.

Information on crash data

When raising your concerns about a specific road, you might like to use any available collision data to make your case to the highway authority. 

Detailed sets of data by region, for example, are available from Department for TransportTransport Scotland, and 
Welsh Government

Basic collision data for specific roads in the UK can be found using CrashMap. This tool provides basic collision information, including date, number of casualties by severity and number of vehicles involved.

Concerns about a lorry, bus company or driver

If you have concerns about a lorry, bus company or driver that includes things like:

  • breaking drivers’ hours rules

  • overloading vehicles

  • using vehicles that are not safe to drive (unroadworthy)

  • using emission cheat devices

  • carrying dangerous or hazardous goods without permission

  • scheduled bus services in England (outside London) and Wales departing late, early, or not turning up at all

You can report a lorry, bus or coach driver or the company running the vehicles (a ‘vehicle operator’) to DVSA if you think they’re breaking safety rules or conditions of their driving or operator licence.


 

Roads outside schools

 

School site safety

For schools, our  school site road safety guide has more information about school site safety and the responsibility of the school for safety outside the school gates. 

Report an issue or problem

If you have concerns about a problem or issue on a road close to a school then it would be worthwhile contacting your  local authority.

Active Travel

If you would like to help implement active travel in your school then there are some great resources to help you and your school.

 

Contact Us

General Enquiries
+44 (0)121 248 2000
+44 (0)121 248 2001
[email protected]
Contact form