IAM RoadSmart, the UK’s biggest independent road safety charity, has launched its own manifesto calling on all road safety professionals to “work together to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the UK’s roads.”
In its manifesto, IAM RoadSmart urges legislators, car makers, social media and smartphone companies to work with road users on practical solutions to address driver distraction, especially smartphone usage and interactive dashboard information availability.
IAM RoadSmart has put together its own 12 point manifesto to drive down the number of people killed on UK roads, which in 2015 was 1,730, showing little reduction from the previous four years.
The charity also highlights road safety at work as a critical health and safety issue that requires higher priority.
Making informed procurement choices is vital, with the manifesto urging Defra to implement cross-government procurement rules to accelerate the uptake of safe new vehicles with features such as autonomous braking.
New drivers are also included as IAM RoadSmart called for further changes to post-driving test rules and supports a 12 month minimum learning period for new drivers.
The charity also called for a reduction in the drink-drive limit in England and Wales, matching what is already in place for Scotland.
On our highways, IAM RoadSmart called on local councils and central government to protect long-term funding to finally eradicate the road maintenance backlog.
IAM RoadSmart chief executive officer Sarah Sillars said: “The UK has one of the best road safety records in Europe, but still 1,730 people a year are killed.
“We believe by working together with Government and the ‘road safety industry’ we can deliver a step change in road safety and significantly reduce the fatalities and injuries which occur daily on our roads.”
IAM RoadSmart’s full manifesto aims are:
l With widespread support the ‘Road Safety Industry Consortium’ could help reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads.
l Driver distraction is now a top priority safety issue. We want legislators, car makers, social media and smartphone companies to work with road users on practical solutions.
l More research on the transition to driverless cars and on the education and training challenges their introduction will bring.
l Raising the licence renewal age to 75 with a compulsory eye test. Family doctors should be encouraged to ‘prescribe’ driving reviews for older drivers.
l Road safety at work is a critical health and safety issue that requires higher priority at the Health and Safety Executive and should be at the core of good corporate governance for every employer.
l Defra to implement cross-government procurement rules which accelerate the uptake of safe new vehicles with features such as autonomous braking. Public and private sector companies should only issue contracts to firms with driver risk management policies in place.
l To promote motorcycling as a safe mode of transport that can help solve congestion and pollution problems.
l Experience is the key to a safe driving career and IAM supports a 12 month minimum learning period for new drivers
l A reduction in the drink-drive limit in England and Wales.
l All highway authorities to aim towards a minimum ‘three star’ risk rating on their ‘A’ roads.
l Local councils and central government to protect long-term funding that will eradicate the road maintenance backlog.
l A Brexit deal that maintains the UK’s exemplary road safety record and does not add additional burdens to drivers and riders visiting the EU.
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