Functions of the Road Safety Group
The Road Safety Group 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 Group
Every year, around 3,500 people are killed on Britain's roads and 40,000 are seriously injured. In total, there are over 300,000 casualties. The Government has set targets for casualty reduction, which it hopes to achieve by 2010, using as its base the average for 1994-98, as follows:
- a 40% reduction in the numbers of people killed or seriously injured in road accidents;
- a 50% reduction in the numbers of children killed or seriously injured;
- a 10% reduction in the slight casualty rate, expressed as the number of people slightly injured per 100 million vehicle kilometres.
Road Casualties Great Britain, which is published annually, provides a valuable resource for all those involved in reducing casualties on the road.
Direction of the Road Safety Group
The work of the road safety group is influenced by the policies and guidance provided by Government, its agencies and other official bodies. Currently the principal documents driving the road safety agenda are:
