Considerable success at the end of the 20th Century in achieving casualty reduction targets in the UK still leaves road casualties at a level many times those of other transport modes. A rational objective-based approach is essential if we are to achieve further gains in road safety by the Government's target date of 2010. A 40% reduction is targeted for deaths and serious injuries overall, with 50% reduction for children, and a 10% reduction in the rate of slight casualties per mile driven. These are aggressive targets in the teeth of continuing strong traffic growth. Past experience indicate they are within reach, but there is no automatic law of diminishing casualties, and it is necessary to take concerted action to succeed. Behaviour presents a major challenge. Whilst anti drink-driving measures have achieved great success, excessive and inappropriate speeds have so far proved less yielding, yet this is a major cause of many accidents. Drug impaired driving is also on the increase. Measures developed to make roads safer need to be used more coherently; within a clearer road environment where risk is signalled more strongly to the driver, and speeds are moderated. Vehicle research (including impact tests) has advanced substantially over recent years, and promises real impact as new methods for understanding crashes and their biomechanical effects can be developed. Future success in casualty reduction will depend crucially on the knowledge of cause and effect, and its concerted application in practice.
Abstract