The work between policy and practice
Road safety progress depends on more than commitments. It requires sustained action, strong partnerships, and accountability to ensure that policies…
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This report reviews international road safety targets and performance frameworks to inform the UK’s future road safety strategy.
The UK was previously a global leader in road safety, achieving a 43% reduction in fatalities in the decade to 2010 and ranking second internationally. Since 2010, however, UK progress has stalled, with little change in fatality numbers or mortality rates, and the UK has slipped to fifth place. Although this slowing aligns with trends in many countries, several, including Norway, Switzerland and Ireland, have continued to achieve significant reductions through strong Safe System adoption, infrastructure improvements and strengthened legislation.
The findings reinforce core Vision Zero principles: ambitious, system-level targets, aligned with Safe System thinking, are associated with greater casualty reductions internationally. The report highlights the importance of establishing clear long-term goals supported by interim targets and SPIs, consistent with global best practice.
