CIHT welcomes the publication of the strategy and the UK Government’s commitment to road safety. 

The strategy puts people, places, prevention, and accountability at the heart of the strategy, whilst also shifting towards greater use of technology and data. 

CIHT encourages the UK Government to pair the proposed road safety strategy with a clear delivery plan and appropriate investment to ensure that its ambitions are fully realised and lead to measurable improvements in road safety outcomes. 

CIHT is delighted to see the Department for Transport incorporate many of the institution’s policy recommendations in the publication of this strategy.  

CIHT’s policy report ‘Progressing the UK towards Safe System implementation- Reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured on UK roads’, recommends actions for the UK Government that, if implemented, CIHT believe will aid a reduction in the number of people killed and seriously injured on UK roads. 

CIHT policy brief ‘Making the case for active travel’ highlights how a reduction of fatalities and injuries obtained on the highways network, benefits the NHS trough reduced cost pressures and eases NHS backlogs.  

CIHT is pleased to see this messaging echoed in the Road Safety Strategy and has previously called for a strategic review of the broader societal impacts of road collisions- including pressures on the NHS, social care and the economy- to strengthen the case for sustained investment in road safety.  

To read more about implementing the Safe System in the UK, please see our report: Progressing the UK towards Safe System implementation | CIHT . 

CIHT looks forward to continuing to work with the Department for Transport and the wider UK Government in improving the safety of England's roads and ensuring that the country's transport network is fit for the future.  

A full list of CIHT recommendations featured in the strategy:  

CIHT called for:   

The strategy to fully embed the Safe System approach, coupled with measurable targets and performance metrics to track progress over time.   

The strategy:   

This strategy aligns with the Safe System’s five pillars and eight enablers and is underpinned by targets and Safety Performance Indicators. It creates a framework for government leadership and local flexibility which prioritises safer travel.

CIHT called for:  

CIHT urged the creation of a UK-wide road safety board, bringing together all relevant government departments as well as devolved administrations.   

The strategy:  

The government will establish a new Road Safety Board, chaired by the Minister for Local Transport (Lilian Greenwood MP) and include representatives from across government and delivery bodies.  

CIHT called for:  

CIHT believes that changes to legislation and regulation are essential to deliver safer roads.   

We are calling on the UK Government to work with devolved authorities and road managers to align speed limits and guidance with survivable speeds.   

The strategy:  

The government will publish a new edition of the best practice guidance ‘Setting Local Speed Limits’ and will update separate guidance on the use of speed and red-light cameras. This is to support authorities to make the best decisions about managing speed on the roads they are responsible for.

CIHT called for:  

We call for the UK to adopt the General Safety Regulations and fully embrace vehicle technologies such as Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA).  

The strategy:  

The government is consulting on mandating the fitting of 18 new safety technologies for specific vehicle categories produced in unlimited series under the Great Britain type approval scheme (including Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA). 

CIHT called for:  

The establishment of a national road safety investigation branch to investigate collisions throughout the UK. 

The government will establish a data-led Road Safety Investigation Branch for Great Britain

CIHT called for:  

CIHT advocates for improved data-sharing frameworks to foster thematic learning and better coordinated responses.  

The government will explore the opportunities to join ‘Data for Road Safety’. This is a European initiative whereby safety-related traffic data is exchanged between vehicle manufacturers and road operators, and data access is opened to local and regional road operators, emergency services and others, as appropriate, to improve lives and future road safety delivery.

CIHT called for:  

We recommend taking a strategic review of the broader societal impacts of road collisions- including pressures on the NHS, social care and the economy- to strengthen the case for sustained investment in road safety.  

The strategy:  

The strategy highlights the necessity to reduce pressure on the NHS caused by road collisions and supporting the goal of building an NHS fit for the future. 

CIHT called for:  

CIHT recognises that young drivers are disproportionately represented in road traffic collisions.  

It is vital to improve safety outcomes for young drivers and recommends the UK Government consider implementing Graduated Driving Licences (GDL).  

The strategy:  

The government is consulting on introducing a three- or six-month minimum learning period for learner drivers as young people are disproportionately involved in road collisions.