Go Safe on Scotland's Roads: road safety framework to 2020

Annex A
Organisation of road safety policy and delivery

UK Government

Many road safety functions are the responsibility of the UK Government, including policy and legislation relating to driver and vehicle licensing (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, DVLA), driver training and testing (Driving Standards Agency, DSA), vehicle standards (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, VOSA), national speed limits, traffic signs, the drink-drive limit and road traffic offences and penalties (Department for Transport, DfT). These are commonly referred to as 'reserved' functions. A more detailed list of reserved functions can be found at Appendix 1 to this Annex.

Department for Transport published the GB Road Safety Strategy, 'Tomorrow's Roads: Safer for Everyone' in 2000 in association with the Scottish Government and Welsh Assembly. The Strategy contained targets for road casualty reductions in the period to 2010 alongside actions designed to achieve them. The latest review was published in February 2007 and a new Strategy will follow post 2010.

Driving Standards Agency ( DSA) sets the standards for the learning process and the driving test. DSA also sets the standards for approved driving instructors. The Agency issued a Learning to Drive Consultation Paper in 2008 which aims to encourage a customer-led training, testing and driving for life programme.

European Union ( EU)

The EU has powers to introduce future Directives on specific road safety issues such as vehicle standards or roads infrastructure. Member states are then invited to adopt them, with the aim of achieving consistency and minimum road safety standards on Europe's roads. The UK Government is responsible for the adoption of EU Directives.

Scottish Government

The Scottish Government has policy responsibility for devolved aspects of road safety where the primary legislation responsibility rests with the UK Government. This includes road safety education and publicity and working in partnership with local authorities, the police and other key interests to improve road safety. These subsidiary functions include powers for Scottish traffic authorities in regard to speed limits on trunk roads and consent to certain speed limit orders by local authorities. Other traffic management matters, including policy and legislation on speed-reducing engineering measures and the designation of home zones, are fully devolved.

The Scottish Government shares with the UK Government responsibility for the promotion of road safety in Scotland. The Scottish Government also engages with the UK Government and its Agencies on UK Government-led road safety policy, driver training and testing, enforcement issues and consultations that extend to Scotland.

Road Safety Scotland ( RSS), formerly known as the Scottish Road Safety Campaign, was set up to address road safety education, training and publicity matters in Scotland. Funded by, and sitting within, the Scottish Government, RSS brings together some of the key road safety interests to ensure a co-ordinated approach to road safety throughout the country.

The RSS Forum oversees the organisation's activities, managed by an Executive Committee, while its main business is carried out by its two Sub-committees dealing with education and publicity. The Structure of RSS is shown in the diagram at figure thirteen. Membership is drawn from the whole road safety community, including Local Authority and Police Road Safety Officers. Other organisations represented include health, education, motoring organisations, voluntary organisations, the Fire and Rescue Service, Transport Scotland and the Safety Camera Programme.

Figure thirteen: Road Safety Scotland Committee Structure

RSS has a number of aims and objectives:

Aims include:

• to raise and maintain public awareness of road safety issues;
• to work with Scottish Government Analytical Services to research, analyse and monitor the reasons for road accidents in Scotland;
• to develop strategies to address key road safety problems;
• to promote development of key Scottish road safety educational materials and targeted road safety publicity campaigns; and
• to contribute towards achievement of Government road safety casualty reduction targets.

Objectives include:

• to provide a Scottish Forum for interchange of information; and
• to develop, promote, collate and disseminate information on good practice in road safety, education, training and publicity throughout Scotland.

RSS is responsible for a suite of education materials which sit within the framework of
the Scottish education system's Curriculum for Excellence. These provide an end-to-end education and training programme in road safety which is consistent across Scotland and is highly regarded across the UK and beyond.

RSS also administer the Scottish road safety publicity campaign under the banner of 'Don't risk it'. All Scottish Government road safety TV, radio, press and other advertising carries this slogan which is based on research ⁶⁶ which found that people can be complacent about messages of death and injury on the road, they are much more likely to be deterred by messages which outline the risks and consequences of being caught speeding, drink driving, etc.

The RSS website, which includes the latest annual report and business plan, can be accessed at: www.roadsafetyscotland.org.uk

Transport Scotland was established in January 2006 as an executive agency of the Scottish Government. One of the aims of the Agency is to ensure that Scotland's trunk road network is managed efficiently, effectively, and economically. It delivers a programme of enhancements to the trunk road network and supports Scotland's National Transport Strategy by setting investment priorities for the network. Key objectives within both of these aims directly affect road safety by maintaining and renewing the trunk road infrastructure and ensuring that service levels are maintained to required standards.

In 2007 Transport Scotland published its Strategic Road Safety Plan. This can be accessed at: www.transportscotland.gov.uk/reports/publications-and-guidance/road/j9041-02.htm

The document was produced to set out how Transport Scotland delivers road safety on trunk roads. It highlights the need to remove risk and prioritise initiatives aimed at preventing accidents and mitigating the effects when accidents do occur. It shows how Transport Scotland is harnessing intelligent solutions, demonstrating innovation and working with partners, while sharing best practice with roads authorities across Scotland and throughout Europe.

Scottish Safety Camera Programme

The Scottish Safety Camera Programme aims to reduce accidents at locations where there is a history of fatal and serious accidents and also an identified problem with speeding or failing to obey a red light traffic signal. It is delivered through eight regional Safety Camera Partnerships that cover all of mainland Scotland. The Partnerships are:

• Central Scotland
• Dumfries and Galloway
• Fife
• Lothian and Borders
• North East
• Northern
• Strathclyde
• Tayside

The main members of the Partnerships are the police, local authorities and Transport Scotland. The Partnerships also receive support from other organisations that have an interest in reducing accidents on the road network, such as the Fire and Rescue Service, the Scottish Ambulance Service and the National Health Service.

The Safety Camera Programme is funded by direct grant from the Scottish Government.

Local Authorities

Local authorities are responsible for road safety on the local road network. The 1988 Road Traffic Act puts a 'statutory duty' on the local authorities to deliver an appropriate road safety education service and for the provision of a safe local road network. This includes road construction, accident investigation and analysis, traffic calming, setting speed limits and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

Powers and Duties of Local Authorities Local authorities are responsible for all aspects of road safety and traffic management on local roads in their areas. Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, each local authority must prepare and carry out a programme of measures designed to promote road safety and may make contributions towards the cost of measures for promoting road safety taken by other authorities or bodies. Under that Act, local authorities have a duty to carry out studies into accidents and take such measures appropriate to prevent such accidents. Local Roads authorities (and Transport Scotland) have a statutory duty (Section 1 of the Roads Scotland Act 1984) to manage and maintain all roads within their area. These duties are intrinsic to the overall road safety effort. Local authorities also have a duty under Section 122 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to secure the expeditious, convenient, and safe movement of vehicular and other traffic (including pedestrians) on local roads in their area. This general duty is met by the local authority making traffic regulation orders which can be introduced for a variety of reasons. The Scottish Government considers that local authorities are in the best position to decide when a particular traffic management scheme could be usefully introduced on roads in their area.

Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland ( SCOTS) is affiliated to The County Surveyors Society and has representation across local authorities.

The aim of SCOTS is to be in a position to give policy advice on a national basis and to act as a forum for professional advice and interchange of information on all policy matters affecting transportation in the widest sense; including roads, traffic management, road safety, lighting, public transport and issues related to land use, development and the physical environment.

Community Safety Partnerships ( CSPs) are part of each of Scotland's 32 local authorities, set up in order to embrace broader Community Planning. Since the mid-1990s these partnerships have encouraged practitioners to use evidence to identify local community safety priorities. In the more successful areas, analysis of data has led to effective problem solving for specific and strategic road safety issues. This data-based approach is evident in many examples of Scottish best practice where road safety issues are resolved through local partnerships. CSPs have the ability to raise local road safety issues and to fund initiatives, working in partnership across the public sector.

A number of CSPs have undertaken strategic assessments or audits where road safety has been included and, in several, highlighted as a priority.

Road Safety Units ( RSUs) are responsible for local delivery and promotion of road safety education, training and publicity. RSUs are located throughout Scotland. In some areas the RSU is administered by the local authority while, in other areas, the RSU sits within the police force. In four areas the RSU is jointly operated by the local authority and the police. A map showing the location of each RSU in Scotland can be found on the Road Safety Scotland website. A full location list is at Appendix 2 to this Annex.

Institute of Road Safety Officers ( IRSO) is a central organisation for all persons actively engaged in the promotion of road safety, casualty reduction and sustainable travel. IRSO's main aim is to facilitate and support road safety and sustainable travel professionals to deliver effective programmes to reduce casualties and congestion. IRSO also aims to promote the efficiency and specialist knowledge of all its members whether on behalf of local authorities, police authorities, statutory bodies, other organisations, commercial concerns or individually.

Emergency Services - Police, Fire and Rescue Service, Ambulance Service

Scottish Police forces are responsible for enforcing road traffic law. The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland will be launching its new Road Policing Strategy in 2009. It will include measures to reduce casualties and improve road safety through higher visibility, denying criminals the use of the road and reducing anti-social behaviour on the roads.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service remit includes a statutory function related to attending road accidents. Alongside this, the Service contributes to prevention campaigns through public education initiatives. The Chief Fire Officers Association (Scotland) will also be launching its Road Safety Strategy in 2009. Its vision is to work in partnership to reduce the numbers of people killed or seriously injured on Scotland's roads.

Scottish Ambulance Service ( SAS) attends road accidents when required. Its crews provide vital life saving treatment, treating patients at the scene of accidents and, when necessary, taking them to hospital.

In partnership with emergency services across Scotland, the SAS takes an active role in a wide range of road safety initiatives. These range from projects to raise road safety awareness and challenge the attitudes of young people, to projects which aim to reduce the numbers of road deaths and serious injuries sustained by motorcyclists.

The Service is a member of the Scottish Occupational Road Safety Alliance and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

Charitable Road Safety Organisations

There are a number of voluntary organisations which focus on road safety, some of which are highlighted below. A fuller list with web addresses is at Appendix 3 to this Annex.

Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents ( RoSPA) is a registered charity established over 90 years ago, and aims to campaign for change, influence opinion, contribute to debate, educate and inform. RoSPA's Scottish office works closely with the Scottish Government on activities to improve road safety, including training for road safety practitioners.

Road Safety Foundation (formerly the AA Foundation for Road Safety Research) was founded in 1986 by the UK Automobile Association (then a member-owned motoring club). The charity was established as a permanent legacy of the 1986 European Road Safety Year as Britain launched its first national casualty reduction target. The objectives of the Foundation are to carry out or procure research into all factors affecting the safe use of public roads. Its key programme is the European Road Assessment Programme ( EuroRAP) founded as a non-profit association by the Foundation.

Scottish Campaign against Irresponsible Driving ( SCID) was formed in 1985. Its objectives are to help and advise the families of victims of road crashes; to seek to restructure the law as it applies to criminal traffic offences which have caused death or injury; to deter irresponsible drivers by the imposition of more relevant sanctions; and to encourage drivers, through education, to adopt safer standards.

Brake is a registered charity with two aims: to prevent death and injury on the roads through education of all road users and campaigning for improvements to road safety; and to provide support services for people who are bereaved or affected by serious injury in a road crash.

RoadPeace is a UK charity providing support for victims of road crashes and campaigning for justice, road safety and road danger reduction.

Motoring Organisations

The motoring organisations, including the Automobile Association, and the Royal Automobile Club represent the interests of motorists to government and provide information to motorists on all aspects of driving. Through Road Safety Scotland, the Scottish Government works with the motoring organisations on the development of road safety education and publicity initiatives. The Institute of Advanced Motorists is represented on RSS's Publicity Sub-committee.

Private Sector

There are a number of private sector companies which support road safety in Scotland in a variety of ways. These range from sponsorship of road safety campaigns to incentivisation of additional driver training through reduced insurance premiums.

Appendix 1 to Annex A
Reserved Road Safety Legislation

Road Traffic Act 1988

• The Highway Code.
• Driving offences, including drink and drug driving and wearing of seatbelts and motorcycle helmets.
• Vehicle standards, including statutory requirements with regard to vehicle lighting and fitting of seatbelts.
• Driver training and testing.
• Driver and vehicle licensing, including medical conditions.

Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988

• Penalties for road traffic offences, including driver retraining schemes as court disposal.
• Drink drive offenders courses.
• Type approval of devices for detecting speeding and traffic signal offences (speed and red light cameras).
• Statutory driver improvement schemes (diversion from prosecution).

Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

• National speed limits - the Scottish Parliament cannot pass primary legislation in respect of speed limits but is responsible for carrying out a number of functions within existing legislation.
• Power to make regulations relating to the technical aspects of pedestrian crossings.
• Traffic Signs - the Scottish Parliament does not have power to pass primary legislation relating to traffic signs, but can exercise certain functions within existing legislation.

Appendix 2 to Annex A
Location of Road Safety Units in Scotland

Argyll and Bute
Argyll and Bute Council, Development Services, Kilmory Castle, Lochgilphead. PA31 8RT Tel: 01546 604114

Central Scotland
Central Scotland Police, Collision Prevention Unit, Police Headquarters, Randolphfield, Stirling FK8 2HD Tel: 01786 456533

Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary, Operational Services, Cornwall Mount, Dumfries, DG1 1PZ, Tel: 01387 242235

East Ayrshire
East Ayrshire Council, Holmquarry House, Holmquarry Road, Kilmarnock KA1 4EP
Tel: 01563 555 593

East Dunbartonshire
Community Safety Unit, East Dunbartonshire Council Broomhill Industrial Estate, Kilsyth Road, Kirkintilloch, G66 1TF, Tel: 0141 574 5766

East Renfrewshire
East Renfrewshire Council, Roads Planning and Transportation Service, 2 Spiersbridge Way, Spiersbridge Business Park, Thornliebank, G46 8NG Tel: 0141 577 3449

Fife
Fife Police Headquarters, Road Safety Unit, Detroit Road, Glenrothes, KY6 2RJ
Tel: 01592 418 510

Glasgow
Glasgow City Council, Road Safety Development, Traffic Operations, Land and Environmental Services, Richmond Exchange, 20 Cadogan Street, Glasgow G2 7AD
Tel: 0141 287 9043

Grampian
Grampian Police, Road Safety Unit, Nelson Street, Aberdeen AB24 5EQ
Tel: 01224 306730

Highland
Highland Council, TEC Services, Ardross House, 3 Ardross Terrace, Inverness IV3 5NQ Tel: 01463 702690

Inverclyde
Inverclyde Council, Safer Communities, 40 West Stewart Street, Greenock. PA15 1YA Tel: 01475 715987

Lothian and Borders
Road Safety Coordinator, Safer Communities Department, Lothian and Borders Police, Police Headquarters, Fettes Avenue, Edinburgh EH4 1RB Tel: 0131 311 3118

Northern Constabulary
Road Safety Officer, Police Headquarters, Perth Road, Inverness IV2 3SY
Tel: 01463 720407

North Ayrshire
North Ayrshire Council, Perceton House, Irvine, KA11 2AL Tel: 01294 225264

North Lanarkshire
Senior Road Safety Education Officer, North Lanarkshire Council, Dalziel Building,
7 Scott Street, Motherwell ML1 1SX Tel: 01698 274214

Orkney Islands
Orkney Islands Council, Community Safety, School Place, Kirkwall KW15 1NY
Tel: 01856 873535

Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire Council, Planning and Transport Roads Division, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley PA1 1LL Tel: 0141 842 5702

Scottish Borders
St Boswell's Police Station, Road Safety Unit, Greenside Park, St Boswells, TD6 0AH
Tel: 01835 823036

Shetland Isles
Shetland Islands Council, Safety and Risk, 4 Market Street, Lerwick, Shetland, ZE1 0JN
Tel: 01595 744560

South Ayrshire
South Ayrshire Council, Development and Environment, South Ayrshire Council,
4th Floor, Burns House, Burns Statue Square, Ayr, KA7 1UT Tel: 01292 616371

South Lanarkshire
South Lanarkshire Council, Road Safety Office, Montrose House, 154 Montrose Crescent, Hamilton, ML3 6LB Tel: 01698 453617

Tayside
Tayside Police, Road Policing Unit, Baluniefield Police Station, Balunie Drive, Dundee
DD4 8UT Tel: 01382 596431

West Dunbartonshire
West Dunbartonshire Council, Housing, Environmental and Economic Development, Council Offices, Garshake Road, Dumbarton, G82 3PU Tel: 01389 737630

Western Isles
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Technical Services Department, Sandwick Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, HS1 2BW Tel: 01851 709486.

Appendix 3 to Annex A
Voluntary Road Safety Organisations
(non-exhaustive list)

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents - www.rospa.org.uk

The Scottish Accident Prevention Council - www.sapc.org.uk

BRAKE - www.brake.org.uk

Child Accident Prevention Trust - www.capt.org.uk

RoadPeace - www.roadpeace.org

Campaign Against Drink Driving - www.cadd.org.uk

Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust - www.bhit.org

British Horse Society - www.bhs.org.uk