Improving Local Road Safety: A New Approach to Tackling Skid Risk

A new, data-driven method for identifying and prioritising skid resistance treatments on local roads has shown promising results—highlighting how targeted interventions can significantly reduce wet road collisions.

Funded by The Road Safety Trust, the research led to the development of the Local Authority Skid Resistance (LASR) Approach, a tailored system that helps local councils pinpoint the most effective locations for surface treatment works. The initiative has already demonstrated strong results, with treated areas seeing a 38% reduction in wet weather collisions.

Addressing the Unique Challenges of Local Roads

Unlike national highways, local roads come with their own set of challenges—sharper bends, more frequent junctions, and lower but more varied traffic volumes. Historically, policies around skid resistance have been based on national networks, which don't always account for the more complex and variable nature of local routes.

Recognising this gap, Derby City Council, in collaboration with XAIS-PTS, Enodamus Ltd, and a group of 19 local authorities, created a more nuanced system. The LASR model uses a combination of factors—such as road layout, surface friction data, traffic flow, and historical collision information—to help prioritise where skid resistance improvements are most needed.

Evidence-Based Insights

The project’s trials uncovered several key insights:

• Sites with low initial skid resistance—especially at bends and on gradients—saw the greatest safety gains.

• LASR outperformed traditional blanket approaches, which often apply the same treatments regardless of location-specific risks.

• A benefit-to-cost ranking system allows local authorities to make more informed, resource-efficient decisions.

  
  

Kully Boden, who led the project at Derby City Council, noted:

“Historically, local roads have been subject to generalised policies designed for major road networks. This approach allows us to respond to the real, on-the-ground challenges found in our communities.”

Collaboration and Recognition

The initiative, developed between 2020 and 2025, is gaining national attention. It's been shortlisted for Best Collaborative Partnership at the Department for Transport's Special Recognition Awards, to be presented at the LCRIG Strictly Highways 2025 conference.

Ruth Purdie OBE, Chief Executive of The Road Safety Trust, said:

“This project supports our goal of eliminating deaths and serious injuries on UK roads by helping local authorities take an evidence-led, targeted approach to road safety.”

What Comes Next?

It’s hoped that more councils will adopt the LASR Approach to help guide regular skid resistance surveys and ensure interventions deliver the most impact. By focusing on site-specific risks and using detailed data, local authorities can enhance safety in a cost-effective and proactive way.

As local road networks continue to evolve and age, innovative tools like LASR could play a vital role in making roads safer for all users—without relying on one-size-fits-all national policies.