Road Safety : Key Issues
RoSPA regularly attempts to identify safety concerns or gaps which if resolved will have a significant impact and safety gain. We seek to maximise our influence by concentrating our limited resources on specific areas. The over arching issue within Road Safety is the need :
To Improve Driving* Standards and Driver* Behaviour
Almost all road crashes involve at least one driver or motorcyclist. Very few involve only a pedestrian or pedal cyclist.
Drivers operate powerful vehicles in high speed, competitive and stressful environments which are often shared with vulnerable road users, including children, the elderly, pedal cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders. In addition, they are often under significant pressures to complete their journeys as quickly as possible and to cope with a range of distractions, most notably using mobile phones. Drivers and riders do this with only relatively basic training, once in their lifetime. Once they have gained their full Licence, very few receive any further training.
The Review of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy has recognised the importance of improving driver behaviour and highlighted the “need to promote more strongly the message that driving is an important life long skill” and to “investigate what motivates drivers to broaden, advance and refresh their driving skills … publicise the options and encourage their take up”.
Deaths among motorcyclists have risen significantly, mostly because the amount of motorcycling has risen. Nevertheless, 693 people died on motorcycles in 2003 compared with 427 in 1993.
The Overarching Issue “To Improve Driving* Standards and Driver* Behaviour” is divided into two Key Issues
1. To Improve Driving and Riding Standards
2. To Improve Driver and Motorcyclist Behaviour
* Includes Motorcycles and Motorcyclists
Key Issues:
1. To Improve Driving and Riding Standards
Aim:
The continuing development of the UK’s driver and motorcyclist training, testing and licensing regimes towards Graduated Licensing Systems which include:
Learner drivers undertaking structured training with a professional driving instructor (supported where possible by private practice under the supervision of a qualified driver, such as a parent) that places considerable emphasis on the development of hazard perception skills and positive driving attitudes as well as vehicle control skills.
Novice drivers being subject to restrictions on unsupervised driving for a period after passing the driving test, to reduce their exposure to the factors that are most dangerous to them (e.g., speed, alcohol, night driving, carrying passengers).
Experienced drivers undertaking regular refresher training and re-assessments of their driving skills, habits and attitudes.
Older drivers receiving appropriate education to raise awareness that driving ability gradually changes with age, to help plan for changes in driving (and ultimately for giving up driving).
Outcome:
A national system of graduated licencing for novice drivers and motorcyclists and a voluntary/mandatory regime to promote the further training of existing licence holders.
2. To Improve Driver and Motorcyclist Behaviour
Aim:
To identify, investigate and promote specific measures likely to produce a lasting change in the behaviour of drivers and motorcyclists, in particular relating to the use of inappropriate speed and driver impairment.
Outcome:
A driving environment in which it is much easier for drivers and riders to drive safely and responsibly, especially by using safe and appropriate speed and not driving when impaired or distracted.
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RoSPA is a registered charity: Registered Charity No: 207823 Patron: Her Majesty the Queen RoSPA Head Office: Edgbaston Park, 353 Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7ST, UK |
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