RoadPeace, the national charity for road crash victims, has welcomed the Government’s announcement of a Road Safety Investigation Branch (RSIB), to investigate and provide insight into collisions on England’s roads.
The branch is to investigate themes about the causes of collisions and will recruit a specialised team of inspectors, who are to look at how and why incidents happen.
It will also study how new technology such as autonomous vehicles, e-scooters and electric vehicles can be used on the roads.
A public consultation on proposals for the branch ran from October to December last year.
The Government said the branch will not identify blame or liability and so does not replace police investigation, but will look at available evidence and make recommendations to improve road safety.
The Department for Transport said measures to enable the creation of the RSIB are expected in the Transport Bill.
RoadPeace Chief Executive, Nick Simmons, said: “We welcome the commitment from the Government to form a Road Safety Investigation Branch.
“However, this is long overdue. Our members tell us over and over again their concerns about road collision investigations.”
“Although this will not replace police investigations, it is vital the RSIB makes a difference and we all need to work together to reduce the shocking figure of five deaths a day on Britain’s roads.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
Media contacts:
Nick Simmons, RoadPeace Chief Executive
07966 279 323
About RoadPeace
RoadPeace is the national charity for road crash victims, providing practical information, emotional support and advocacy to those affected by road crashes, as well as campaigning for justice for road crash victims and for road danger reduction policies. Helpline 0845 4500355, Office 020 7733 1603. www.roadpeace.org
Crash not Accident: RoadPeace is calling for an end to a language of neglect and denial and for policy makers and the media to stop using the word ‘accident’ when referring to road crashes, and to adopt an appropriate, constructive and accurate terminology such as crash or collision:
http://www.roadpeace.org/take-action/crash-not-accident/
Updated on: 29 June 2022