The Urban Transport Group has today welcomed the Government’s new Road Safety Strategy - the first in over 10 years - for its commitment to reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads. 

The Strategy, published by the Department for Transport, highlights how between four and five people are killed every day on Great Britain’s roads (2024 figure). 

The document sets ambitious new targets – a 65% reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured on roads in Great Britain by 2035 (using a 2022-2024 baseline) and a 70% reduction in the number of children (under 16) killed or seriously injured. 

Rebecca Fuller, Assistant Director of the Urban Transport Group, said: 

“This new Strategy shows that we cannot accept deaths or serious injury on our roads as inevitable. Government is demonstrating that it takes the safety of our most at-risk road users seriously. 

“We welcome the recognition of the value of local leadership and the need for a partnership approach, and this national strategy should help to foster further engagement so that road safety measures can be delivered collaboratively and effectively at the local level.” 

Among the measures of the strategy, UTG also welcomed: 

• the reintroduction of casualty reduction targets, including the particular focus on reducing the number of children killed or seriously injured. 

• the establishment of a data-led Road Safety Investigation Branch for Great Britain. 

• the Safe System approach at the heart of the strategy – seeking to remove risk as far as possible through design of roads and vehicles, education and testing of drivers. 

• the two year pilot of a ‘National Work-Related Road Safety Charter’ for businesses that require people to drive or ride for them. This recognises the huge growth in the gig economy, including delivery drivers and riders, supporting safer working conditions as well as safer streets. 

The Road Safety Strategy can be viewed here.