Road safety strategy in Great Britain: research into practice

The Department for Transport has a long history of Road Safety Research underpinning policy development.  In March 2000, the Government?s Road Safety Strategy ?Tomorrow?s Roads ? Safer for Everyone? was published.  This contained casualty reduction targets for 2010 (based on the average of 1994-1998), and a policy framework for meeting those targets.

The Strategy and the targets were developed following a process of analysis, consultation and statistical forecasting.  Policy proposals took account of research findings and were discussed in consultative sub-groups.  Recommendations for targets were based on detailed analysis of past casualty trends, impact of major policies, and assumptions about the effects of future policies.

Examples of key policies for which substantial research was required for their development are hazard perception testing and child pedestrian training.  The research programmes, piloting and evaluation will be described.