This article reports the 1994 Scottish National Lecture Programme of the Institute of Road Transport Engineers (IRTE). The first lecture, by Colin Ross, was on primary vehicle safety systems. Electronic control units in vehicle systems are fundamental to safe operation, and are much more reliable and less expensive. They also bring economic benefits such as reduced fuel consumption. Specific systems discussed included: (1) anti-lock and anti-skid braking systems; (2) traction control systems; (3) air suspension systems; (4) speed limiters; (5) engine management systems; (6) automatic gearboxes. The second lecture, by Bill Dixon, concentrated on secondary safety systems in passenger vehicles. He advocated well-considered safety measures. Seat belts were the most conspicuous contributor to secondary safety, but they and their fittings needed to be carefully designed. Hedescribed some tests on seat belts, and discussed their possible use in cars, minibuses, buses and coaches
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