In 2017 the Department for Transport (DfT) commissioned a road safety management capacity review (RSMCR). This was a recommendation by PACTS in 2015[1] and PACTS was pleased that it was accepted by DfT and included in its 2015 British Road Safety Statement. RSMCR has been used internationally in countries establishing or reviewing their road safety effort and progress. It is aligned with the safe system approach.
The RSMCR contract was awarded to Systra; Jeanne Breen, Kate McMahon and Professor Pete Thomas were specialist members of the project team.[2]
The Statement of Requirements for the project describes the following as the main objectives:
- To examine national, regional and local structure, responsibilities, accountabilities, relationships and coordination;
- To examine management resources and focus and consider whether they are being targeted in the most effective way to have the greatest impact on reducing KSIs;
- To assess the current road safety delivery landscape, with particular reference to the UN Safe System ‘Five Pillars’ Approach;
- To investigate how institutional capacity can be cost-effectively strengthened (within the context of the DfT’s Road Safety Statement) to deliver a Safe Systems approach, and
- To identify what resources are available for improved joint working, local innovation and efficiency.
The research included interviews with staff in road safety organisations, civil society organisations, central government departments and their agencies, local authorities and academic institutions; as well as other groups and stakeholders. PACTS was one of the organisations interviewed by the consultants and kept informed via the Road Safety Delivery Group. Along with other groups, PACTS was invited to a presentation on the main draft recommendations in February.
The final report is expected to include over 200 recommendations, covering areas such as funding and resource allocation, research and knowledge transfer and monitoring and evaluation. It is also expected to consider whether a safe system framework should be adopted as the core national strategy for road safety in Britain. The DfT is expected to publish the report in full in late spring 2018.
This is a report for DfT and no public consultation is planned. PACTS looks forward to its publication and hopes it will be the basis for a more ambitious and systematic approach to road safety in the UK.
[1] PACTS Road Safety Manifesto 2015
[2] All three specialists are well known to PACTS; Jeanne Breen is a Trustee of PACTS.
