The changing politics of road death in Britain

11 October 2024

Globally, 1.19 million people are killed in road traffic crashes each year, and the consequences are a “common cause of human suffering”. Britain has some of the lowest numbers of road casualties by head of population, and a history of research, innovation and expertise in many disciplines advancing road safety interventions. Yet, there are tens of thousands of people killed or seriously injured from road crashes each year, and these numbers have plateaued after decades of decline.

Road crash injuries are the twelfth leading causes of death worldwide, and the leading cause of death for children and young people (aged 5 to 29), which cause devastation to those impacted by road trauma.

This ' The changing politics of road death in Britain: from policy action to kicking the can down the road ' paper evaluates the response of policymakers to road safety policy in Britain between 1987 and 2021. It explores why certain decisions were made or not made, and how politicians work with a series of policy actors to develop policy to address road safety over time.