Road Safety Trust Funding Drives Policy and Practice Improvements Across the UK

A new independent report has highlighted the significant impact of a decade of investment by the Road Safety Trust, showing how its funding has influenced both national policy and frontline road safety practices.

The study, carried out by consultancy Systra, reveals that more than £13 million has been distributed across over 120 projects, helping to shape areas such as policing standards, vehicle safety regulations, emergency response procedures and wider road safety policy.

\

Findings from the report indicate that government bodies are increasingly using research supported by the Trust to inform decision-making. Several initiatives included in the Department for Transport’s latest Road Safety Strategy—such as motorcycle safety markings and data-driven approaches to collision prevention—have been linked to this work.

Of the projects reviewed, 53 out of 74 completed schemes demonstrated clear or potential benefits for road safety. Additionally, nearly all funding recipients stated their work would not have progressed without the Trust’s support, with many projects producing practical tools and guidance now used by professionals on the ground.

The report comes against a backdrop of ongoing road safety challenges, with 29,467 people recorded as killed or seriously injured on UK roads in 2024.

Examples of successful initiatives include research that has contributed to improved visibility standards for heavy goods vehicles, enhanced emergency response protocols, and the growing use of dashcam footage in policing. Other projects have focused on linking medical and collision data to better understand risk factors and support more targeted interventions.

Ruth Purdie, Chief Executive of the Road Safety Trust, said the organisation remains committed to reducing road deaths and serious injuries to zero. She noted that the Trust’s funding has played a key role in identifying evidence gaps, supporting innovation and strengthening the knowledge base used to improve safety outcomes.

Looking ahead, the Trust plans to continue working with government, emergency services and industry partners, with its next round of funding—worth £750,000—set to focus on areas including drug driving, motorised vehicles and safer vehicle technologies.