Road safety specialists were quizzed last Thursday in Westminster during the first of four oral evidence sessions hosted by the new Transport Safety Commission.

The sessions are being held to inform the Commission’s first inquiry titled: ‘UK Transport Safety: Who is Responsible?’ A report including recommendations is set for publication later in the year.

Oxford University professor Danny Dorling, Public Health England London regional director Dr Yvonne Doyle and UCL professor Jonathan Wolff gave evidence in front of the Commission, co-chaired by professor Stephen Glaister and Sir Peter Bottomley MP.

CIHT’s Road Safety Panel Chair Kate Carpenter was also in attendance, along with CIHT members Jeanne Breen and Richard Allsop.

Sir Peter said a new strategy was needed to deal with some of the key issues including levels of drink driving, transport safety in rural areas and numbers of deaths on the road compared to other modes. Also discussed at the meeting was the positive impact of the ’20 is plenty’ campaign in cities where 20mph speed limits have been introduced.

Executive director of PACTS – the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety – David Davies said: “This first inquiry is important because whereas in rail and air there are very clear (safety) responsibilities this is not the situation for roads."

Three more oral evidence sessions will be held on 1 May, 5 June and 3 July before the Summer Parliamentary Recess.

(Photo: Ed Greens)

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