Each month, we highlight a PACTS member making a difference in transport safety. This month, we’re delighted to feature The Road Safety Trust, the UK’s largest independent road safety grant funder.
Investing in Safer Roads
Unlike many organisations in the sector, The Road Safety Trust doesn’t operate a supply chain or manage a fleet. Instead, their work centres on funding innovative projects and research that can make roads safer for everyone.
Since 2016, the Trust has awarded over £12 million in funding to more than 120 projects across the UK. These range from the development of new tools and technologies to campaigns, policy research, and post-crash support initiatives.
In May 2025, the Trust announced £1.1 million in new funding for six projects that aim to tackle inequalities in road safety—a growing priority in the sector. These projects, selected through a rigorous process, are being delivered by a mix of community groups and academic institutions. They include:
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Understanding vehicle safety inequalities (RAC Foundation & Agilysis)
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Motorised mobility devices safety (Nottingham Trent University & Surewise)
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VR training for tractor drivers (Nottingham Trent University & farm sector partners)
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Road safety for autistic children (University of Leeds & local councils)
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Equity and anti-social behaviour in e-mobility (University of Leeds)
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Independent mobility for children with SEND (University of Oxford & disability groups)
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Collaborating Through the PACTS Network
Membership of PACTS supports the Trust’s broader goal of learning from others across the sector and shaping collective action. As an organisation rooted in funding and evaluation, the Trust values the ability to stay informed about emerging issues in transport safety and to engage with frontline practitioners, researchers, and policymakers.
This collaborative approach enables the Trust to better align its funding priorities with on-the-ground needs and policy developments.
Challenges and Opportunities
Although The Road Safety Trust doesn’t directly operate transport services, many of the projects it supports intersect with key areas of occupational road risk, such as those in the logistics and gig economy sectors.
The Trust has identified a need to embed a stronger culture of safety across large and complex systems—from local authorities and fleet operators to national regulators. The greatest opportunities lie in widening the adoption of evidence-based solutions and ensuring safety is designed into systems, rather than added as an afterthought.
