The old adage says that actions speak louder than words. PACTS calls on the next Government to do both – to action with the publication of words.
Over the last ten years promises have been made, but not delivered on. When pressed, through letters and even Freedom of Information requests, the repeated refrain has been ‘when Parliamentary time allows’. The stalling means that consultation responses, reports or reviews from which safety improvements could be implemented have not been delivered.
Some outstanding publications are almost pre-historic. It was back in 2014 that a review of the road traffic offences was promised. Duncan Dollimore, Cycling UK’s head of campaigns says, “ten years ago, Chris Grayling, who was then the secretary of state for justice, announced that the government was going to have a wide review of all road traffic offences. Ten years on, we’re still waiting. Any consideration of whether any changes to need to be made to cycling rules need to be in the context of a wider review of road traffic offences, because there are multiple problems with the way we classify irresponsible, careless and dangerous behaviour by a number of road users.”
Some publications are ready, but sat collecting dust. In February 2022 the then Minister, Trudi Harrison, confirmed that the 2020 WSP and Loughborough University report on Road Safety Targets had been received by the DfT. It has still not been published.
Some outstanding publications mean the UK is being overtaken by other countries. In November 2021 a public consultation was held ‘Future of Transport Regulatory Review: Modernising Vehicle Standards’. No DfT response has been made public. In the meantime, standards of vehicles fall behind those in the EU (and NI).
Some delayed publications impact our future, the young drivers in the country. Dr. Elizabeth Box, Research Director at the RAC Foundation, is an expert in young driver safety. She said, “The Driver2020 project was an important commitment made by government to conduct a large-scale trial to assess the effect of several different young driver interventions on safety outcomes. While this evidence-based approach to policy-making is to be applauded, delays in the report’s publication have stalled critical actions needed to improve the safety of this at-risk group. The incoming government should review and publish these study findings as a matter of urgency, and take decisive action to improve the safety of young and novice drivers.”
Critically, delays mean that there is no plan for progress. Road safety improvements have stalled, and more people have been harmed while travelling on our roads and streets. Developing a National Road Safety Strategy, replacing the now long expired 2019 framework, was expected in the hot summer of 2021. It is still outstanding
As the next Government moves into their seats, road safety needs to be a priority. Actions and words need to be at the top of the to do list. PACTS is tracking progress.