Functions of the Road Safety Advisory Panel
The Road Safety Advisory Panel is AIRSO's "Think Tank" in
terms of its road safety activities and profile.
The Group is responsible for:
- Considering what AIRSO's views should
be on any given road safety⁄transport safety topic, and recommending
the adoption of an "AIRSO Position
Statement" for endorsement to the Council of Management.
- Considering and responding to consultation documents issued by statutory,
non-statutory and commercial bodies.
- Considering, investigating, and determining nominations for the award of
an "AIRSO Commendation for Road
Safety in Practice".
- Reviewing any road safety projects and practices which are brought to their
attention by groups or individuals.
- Instigating other projects, conferences, seminars, workshop and research in the furtherance of road safety and casualty reduction and to educate its members and the wider public towards becoming safer and better informed road users.
Issues facing the Road Safety Advisory Panel
Every year around 2,000 people are killed on the roads in Great Britain. Many of these die as a result of not wearing a seat belt; driving too fast for the conditions or exceeding the posted speed limit; and whilst under the influence of alcohol. These major factors are a sad reflection on the way in which people live and use the road for in nearly all these cases the outcome is as a result of a road users doing something for which they know to be wrong
Around one third of all those killed are undertaking a work related journey at the time. Young drivers and the riders of two wheeled vehicles also figure highly in those killed on our roads.
Reducing the liklihood of people dying or being seriously injuried in crashes in a key factor in reducing the death toll by educating road users, designing safer vehicles, and building safer roads.
Direction of the Road Safety Advisory Panel
The work of the road safety advisory panel is influenced constantly by the policies, guidance and research provided by central Governement, its agencies and other official bodies and institutions. Some of the principal documents driving the road safety agenda are:
