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

Chapter Three
Policy and delivery of road safety in Scotland

Organisation and responsibility for road safety policy and delivery is spread across several areas, including Government and other organisations.

The diagram at Figure three indicates the range of organisations and individuals with responsibility for road safety in Scotland, whether that be making policy, legislation, delivering road safety or simply ensuring personal safety and safety of others on the roads.

Figure three: Road safety stakeholders

Annex A provides a narrative account of the different organisations within these broad categories and their main responsibilities for road safety. Currently there are a number of key partnerships and dependencies required to deliver road safety initiatives coherently and effectively.

Different arms of government have critical roles to play. Some road safety responsibilities lie at European level. A substantial part also takes place at UK level - key amongst these are responsibilities in areas such as driver testing and drink drive legislation. The Scottish Government and local government also have considerable responsibilities in areas such as education, publicity, roads and related infrastructure.

Non-government organisations are extremely active in the road safety area. These range from motoring organisations, to employers, community groups and charities. The private sector is also increasingly involved in backing and helping to deliver road safety initiatives. The police and other emergency services have critical roles in enforcing road safety, in delivering education and publicity, and in dealing with road accidents.

The academic sector also makes a contribution to the thinking and delivery of road safety initiatives. As shown in later Chapters, there is a rich evidence base in the road safety area which is increasingly broadening the understanding of the problems that are faced and the potential solutions available. The public too are a wealth of information as road users.

The evidence base, and how the various organisations involved in road safety work together, are the subjects of Chapters Four and Five.