Overview
On 29 June 2026, PACTS convened a cross-sector dinner bringing together parliamentarians, industry leaders, transport operators, insurers, safety experts, and policy stakeholders to discuss the UK Road Safety Strategy with a particular focus on work-related road safety.
The discussion brought together a wide range of perspectives from freight and fleet operators, national highways, consultancy, behavioural science, enforcement, and road safety advocacy. The session explored how the Safe System can be strengthened in practice, particularly in relation to commercial transport, data use, regulatory frameworks, and driver welfare.
The overarching message from the event was that while the new Road Safety Strategy is widely welcomed for its ambition and Safe System alignment, significant gaps remain in delivery mechanisms, governance, and accountability structures.
Road Safety Strategy: Ambition and Delivery Gaps
Participants welcomed the Government’s target-based approach, including ambitions for substantial reductions in fatalities and serious injuries. However, concern was raised that delivery mechanisms, responsibilities, and timelines remain underdeveloped.
Key themes included:
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- The need for cleaner implementation pathways for casualty reduction targets
- The importance of aligning the Road Safety Board and emerging governance structures with real delivery mechanisms
- Ensuring strong feedback loops between government, Parliament, and industry stakeholders
- The role of the APPG and Select Committee in identifying gaps and strengthening scrutiny
There was agreement that continued engagement across sectors will be essential to turn strategic ambition into measurable action.
Safe System and Work-Related Road Safety
A central theme of the discussion was the application of the Safe System to work-related road risk. Participants highlighted that road risk is still not consistently treated as a workplace safety issue, despite significant evidence of harm involving at-work drivers.
Key points included:
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- The need to better integrate commercial fleets and professional driving into Safe System thinking
- Recognition that a significant proportion of serious collisions involve drivers operating for work
- Concerns about inconsistencies between workplace safety regulation and road safety enforcement
- The importance of corporate accountability and stronger duty of care extending into driving operations
HGV Welfare, Infrastructure, and Systemic Barriers
Participants highlighted ongoing challenges relating to HGV driver welfare, including insufficient safe stopping and rest facilities.
Key issues discussed included:
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- Fragmented responsibility across National Highways, local authorities, and private operators
- Lack of adequate and consistent provision of safe parking and welfare infrastructure
- Planning system limitations and the safety implications of informal or unsafe stopping
- Wider implications for driver wellbeing and road safety risk
International comparisons were made, with examples of more structured provision in other European countries.
Data, Technology and Fleet Safety Innovation
The group discussed the growing importance of data and technology in improving road safety outcomes, particularly for fleets and commercial operations.
Key themes included:
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- The potential of telematics and connected vehicle data to support prevention, not just monitoring
- Barriers to data sharing, including commercial sensitivity and lack of interoperability between OEM systems
- The opportunity to improve incident reporting and develop more centralised learning systems
- The need for better use of data to inform policy, enforcement, and operational decision-making
Participants noted that while the technology exists, the challenge remains in governance, standardisation, and willingness to share data across systems.
Freight, Modal Shift, and Wider System Impacts
The discussion also explored broader structural levers for road safety, including freight strategy and modal shift.
Key points included:
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- The potential safety benefits of shifting more freight to rail for long-distance transport
- The impact of shorter HGV shifts on driver wellbeing and safety outcomes
- Links between driver health, working conditions, and long-term safety performance
- The need to consider road safety within wider transport, logistics, and employment policy
There was recognition that improving road safety will require system-wide thinking beyond traditional transport safety interventions.
Key Cross-Cutting Themes
Across all discussions, several consistent themes emerged:
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- Road safety delivery mechanisms need strengthening to match strategic ambition
- Work-related road safety remains underdeveloped within the Safe System framework
- Data sharing and technology adoption are critical but currently fragmented
- Infrastructure and welfare provision for professional drivers requires urgent attention
- Behavioural, regulatory, and commercial levers all need to be aligned
- Stronger coordination between government, Parliament, and industry is essential
Next Steps
Participants agreed on the importance of continuing structured engagement to support the development of the Road Safety Strategy delivery framework. Further work will focus on refining priority areas, strengthening evidence, and supporting alignment between industry, Parliament, and government stakeholders.
PACTS will continue to convene discussions and share outputs with attendees for comment and further input.
