Charity backs calls for safety review

The UK’s largest independent road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, has welcomed the government’s call for a review into the policing of UK roads.

The government has asked for a review to explain why the number of road casualties has plateaued since 2010. Prior to 2010 the UK had experienced year-on-year reductions in the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads.

Earlier this year, IAM RoadSmart shared the findings of a study which concluded that the latest vehicle infotainment systems impair reaction times behind the wheel more than alcohol and cannabis use.

Rebecca Ashton, head of policy and research at IAM RoadSmart, said: “IAM RoadSmart strongly welcomes a review of the effectiveness of roads policing in the UK. Our annual Safety Culture Report shows strong support for the enforcement of traffic laws with drink and drug driving in the number one spot.

“A reduction in dangerous behaviour on our roads can only be gained by driver education and consistent deployment of roads policing backed-up by the best possible intelligence information. The Covid-19 lockdown has demonstrated that criminality and traffic offences are inextricably linked and the best way to deal with this is by ensuring that the police are resourced properly.

“In our view, making roads policing a Home Office priority and a key performance indicator for chief constables and police commissioners, combined with greater emphasis on driver education, would be the most effective ways to achieve this.”