Setting the Scene John Smart Deputy Chief Executive Institution of Highways & Transportation

Chair of the Transport Select Committee Committee Louise Ellman MP said: “The number of deaths and injuries on our roads far outweighs the deaths and injuries in other transport modes or in other work- related accidents. “We need to start seeing this not only as a collection of individual tragedies but also as the major public health problem of our age. The deaths of three thousand people and injuries to a quarter of a million are a staggering annual toll to pay for mobility.”

Where did we start? 40% reduction in overall Killed and Serious Injuries 50% reduction in child KSI 10% reduction in slight injury rate Focus on disadvantage

Where are we now? Deaths down 18% KSI down 36% Child KSI down 55% Slight rate down 32% Despite this drivers aged between 16 and 29 years still make up 42% of all driver deaths

However, in terms of casualty reductions from certain other major policy measures, little or no progress has been achieved. These were notably: improving safety on rural single- carriageway roads; reducing casualties in drink-drive accidents; and reducing the accident involvement of novice drivers.

Mixed progress? Death per m pop NL SE UK

Compared to many other countries, the UK has a low number of road deaths relative to its population. Its position, however, has been slipping. In 2001 it was second behind Malta in a table of 29 nations. In 2006 it was down to sixth, behind Malta, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and Norway.

Mr Fred Wegman, Managing Director of the Netherlands road safety institute SWOV “Until 2000 we were always looking to the United Kingdom when it came to road safety. You were the inventors of many good activities and policies. All of a sudden, somewhere in 2000, you stopped doing things and we [the Netherlands] continued with our efforts.”

Where are we going? Beyond 2010 Vision Zero A Safe Transport System As Low as Reasonably Practicable

How did we get here? Education Engineering Enforcement Evaluation

How will we get there? The four Es Partnership Engagement

What makes a good target? Process of derivation Achievement of policy objectives Support of staff Quality of data Clarity and transparency of definition Involvement of service users

Challenges ahead (i) Technology Climate change Civilising our town centres

Challenges ahead (ii) Capacity Rural roads Sharing good practice Evaluating interventions

Challenges ahead (iii) Safety fatigue Attitudes to risk and evidence Political leadership

Where does RSA contribute? Proactive Safety Dedicated expertise Adapt to changing environment

The UK’s roads are some of the busiest roads in the world. They are also some of the safest, yet on these roads in 2007, 2,846 people were killed, a 9/11 every year how do we accept this.