The call for evidence sought to identify what makes a difference and how the capability and capacity of enforcement services can be enhanced. This call for evidence is part of a wider review which includes a thematic inspection of road policing conducted by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) commissioned by the department. This thematic inspection has looked at how roads policing is currently delivered and make recommendations for the future.

CIHT's response 

Road safety is of paramount concern to the highways and transportation sector and every user of UK road network. Some 1,800 people die on UK roads each year and a further 25,000+ people are seriously injured. Many of these casualties result from a failure to comply with traffic laws – knowingly or otherwise[1]. Therefore, roads policing and increasing traffic law compliance is a powerful tool increasing road safety on UK roads.

CIHT calls for the government to develop a long-term strategy for significantly reducing the number of people killed and injured on our roads. This will require re-introducing casualty reduction targets to drive policy and behaviour change. As more emphasis is placed on sharing road space there is a need to focus how this can be achieved more safely. The contributions that DVSA and DVLA make in enforcement and road safety, especially in terms of driver qualifications (particularly HGV and PSV drivers) and vehicle safety, are often forgotten about. CIHT highlights the importance of these bodies in ensuring a safe environment for road users.

Read CIHT's Full response here.