Launch of a campaign to encourage mutual respect among all road users could lead to a profound reduction in highway accidents, the new head of a transport safety charity remarked last week.

David Davies (pictured), the executive director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS), said more considerate behaviour between motorists, cyclists and pedestrians would make the roads safer.

“We have seen a lot of focus on specific safety actions in the past such as reducing vehicle speeds, wearing of seatbelts and targeting drink driving – all of which is absolutely right. But there comes a point where we need to look more at road user behaviour,” he said.

“This means cyclists looking out for other road users, pedestrians watching out when crossing the road and drivers giving way. Considerate behavour and improved safety go together.”

Mr Davies also said that PACTS is to set up a Transport Safety Commission, which will initially focus on road safety. “The House of Commons’ Transport Select Committee called in 2008 for the creation of an authoritative and independent road safety commission. The Government did not take up the recommendation and I am pleased that PACTS is now able to do so.”

An article about the work of PACTS, including an interview with Mr Davies, is set to appear in a forthcoming edition of Transportation Professional.

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