National Highways has launched its winter TRIP campaign, urging drivers to carry out essential vehicle checks before setting off as new figures reveal a rise in winter breakdowns on major roads.

Over the last four years, winter breakdowns on motorways and major A roads have increased by 26%, with tyres remaining the leading cause of incidents. They accounted for 19% of all recorded breakdowns last winter.

The campaign highlights concerns around driver behaviour during adverse weather, with research showing that 37% of UK drivers would ignore a Met Office weather warning and make their journey on a motorway or A-road regardless.

More than half (59%) also admitted to driving in winter weather when they felt conditions were unsafe, while 44% said they did not carry an emergency winter kit.

The research also suggests a lack of awareness around tyre safety, with a quarter (25%) of drivers underestimating the difference in wet braking distances between new tyres and those at the legal minimum tread depth of 1.6mm.

National Highways is encouraging motorists to follow its T.R.I.P. checklist before setting off:

• Top-up – check engine oil, coolant and screenwash levels.
• Rest – make sure you are well rested before travelling.
• Inspect – check tyres, lights and other essential vehicle components.
• Prepare – plan your journey and allow extra time for winter conditions.

As temperatures fall and snow, ice and heavy rain become more frequent, National Highways says its teams will be working day and night to keep the strategic road network clear and reliable.

The winter campaign aims to encourage drivers to take responsibility for preparing their vehicles and journeys, helping to reduce the risk of breakdowns and improve safety for everyone using the roads.

Further information about the T.R.I.P. checks is available on the National Highways website.

New research from Imperial College London has found that, on average, collapsible (sometimes called ‘foldable’) bicycle helmets provide lower levels of protection against serious head injuries than non-collapsible helmets.

However, the researchers found nothing inherent in a collapsible design that means they could not be further developed to become equally safe to conventional designs in the future – evidence suggests lighter weight alternatives with added rotational protection technologies would substantially improve the outcome of head injuries for riders.

Although the study showed varying levels of protection for different helmets, all helmets included in the study met the minimum regulatory standards for safety and evidence shows that wearing any helmet provides better protection than not wearing a helmet at all.

Collapsible helmets are increasing in popularity because of their portability and convenience, particularly suiting users of bicycle share scheme such as Santander, Lime, and Forest. Their price, however, is often higher compared with conventional helmets: collapsible helmets purchased for this study cost £101 on average, compared with £64 for conventional helmets.

The study, funded by The Road Safety Trust, is the first to compare the protection offered by collapsible foam helmets and conventional helmets. During the study, Imperial researchers from the Dyson School of Design Engineering tested 30 commercially available helmets, including 24 conventional models and all 6 collapsible models available in the UK, to simulate the most common head impacts that cyclists experience during a crash.

This study will feed into the HEAD Lab’s Helmet Impact Protection Effectiveness Rating (HIPER) system, established with funding from The Road Safety Trust, which provides consumers with safety data on different helmet models to make informed purchasing decisions, and manufacturers with insights to improve future helmet designs.

The lead author, Dr William Dawber, from Imperial’s Dyson School of Design Engineering, said: “Collapsible helmets are a great solution to overcome inconvenience; one of the most reported reasons people in urban areas don’t wear helmets when they want to ride a bicycle.

“Until now, there has been no way for the wearer to judge how well the different designs protect them against severe head injuries, which is the entire point of wearing a helmet. I am delighted that we can share the findings of our research so people can choose a helmet that fits with their budget and lifestyle.”

Ruth Purdie OBE, Chief Executive of The Road Safety Trust, said: “We are pleased to see the HIPER rating system for cycle helmets continue to grow and evolve.

“Backed by world-class research, it is addressing important and timely issues such as foldable helmets, whose growing popularity makes clear, independent evidence about their safety performance for consumers and manufacturers increasingly vital.”

This work builds on previous HEAD Lab research published in Annals of Biomedical Engineering in 2024, which found that helmet price was not a reliable indicator of protection offered by helmets and that some helmets reduced rotational risks much better than others.

Room for improvement
Collapsible helmets showed a higher linear injury risk than conventional helmets: the average predicted risk was 24% for collapsible helmets, compared with 20% for conventional helmets. Linear injury risk refers to the risk of injuries, such as skull fractures and focal brain injuries, which are associated with the linear motion of the head during the crash.

While the difference in linear injury risk may seem relatively small, researchers note that even a 4 percentage-point increase could translate into a substantial number of additional serious head injuries overall. The study found no difference in protection against brain injuries caused by head rotation.

Researchers identified two major factors contributing to the lower average safety performance of collapsible helmets: greater helmet weight and the limited use of in-helmet technology to reduce the rotation of the head.

Collapsible helmets were on average 57% heavier than conventional helmets (461 grams versus 294 grams). Increased helmet mass was associated with greater linear injury risk, with an average increase of 0.2% risk per additional 10 grams on a helmet.

In addition, rotational protection technologies reduced both linear and rotational injury risks but were used in only 1 of 6 collapsible helmets, compared with 12 of the 24 conventional helmets.

Overall, 5 of 6 collapsible helmets tested during the study ranked in the bottom half of the protection rankings.

However, the performance gap, researchers found, was not inherent to collapsible helmet designs.

Evidence that their safety performance can be improved came from testing two versions of the same collapsible helmet model, one of which incorporated rotational protection technology, specifically the Multi-directional Impact Protection System (MIPS). The MIPS-equipped helmet ranked 2nd among the 30 helmets (effectively matching or superseding most conventional designs), while the version without MIPS ranked only 26th out of 30.

The overall results suggest that collapsible helmets can be an excellent solution to make helmet use more accessible for cyclists, and producing lighter weight alternatives with added rotational protection technologies can substantially improve helmets’ safety outcomes.

Professor Mazdak Ghajari, Professor of Brain Biomechanics at the Dyson School of Design Engineering and a founder of the HEAD Lab, added: “Any helmet is safer than no helmet and innovative designs that appeal to more people are to be applauded. Underpinning HIPER is our aim to help manufacturers improve the safety of their products and for retailers to use our new clearer ratings in informing customers to make the right choices. We couldn’t do that without the collective years of engineering knowledge and research and connections with brain scientists we have at Imperial.”

Improved rating system
While all helmets included in the study met the minimum regulatory standards needed to reach the market in the UK and Europe, current certification tests assess helmets only on a pass/fail basis. To help consumers better understand the level of protection provided by different helmets, the HEAD Lab’s updated HIPER rating system awards diamond, platinum, gold, silver and bronze medals based on safety performance.

Present regulatory tests for the British Standards Institute (BSI) and European Standardisation Committees (CEN) use a vertical drop test that primarily measures direct impact forces without accounting for oblique impacts or measurement of head rotation.

In practice, however, most cycling impacts occur at an angle, causing the head to rotate sharply, which is a major mechanism of damage to the brain’s wiring and bleeding on the brain. Recent studies have shown head injuries of this kind are linked to an increased risk of dementia later in life.

To better reflect real-world crash conditions the Imperial team tested helmets at four impact locations to measure both linear and rotational head motion. Each impact was repeated three times using a new helmet sample to account for manufacturing and testing variability.

]]> https://roadsafetygb.org.uk/news/collapsible-bicycle-helmets-provide-less-protection-on-average-than-conventional-helmets-new-study-find/feed/ 0 https://roadsafetygb.org.uk/news/gambling-harm-is-a-road-safety-issue-project-edward-webinar-hears/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gambling-harm-is-a-road-safety-issue-project-edward-webinar-hears https://roadsafetygb.org.uk/news/gambling-harm-is-a-road-safety-issue-project-edward-webinar-hears/#respond Tue, 10 Nov 2026 10:21:55 +0000 https://roadsafetygb.org.uk/?post_type=news&p=24310

Gambling-related distraction, fatigue and concerns about another person’s gambling can affect driving, according to research discussed during a Project EDWARD webinar.

The First Friday discussion, held on 6 November, examined the potential road safety implications of gambling harm, including its impact on drivers and those affected by someone else’s gambling.

Chaired by Project EDWARD founder James Luckhurst, the webinar featured Dr Leanne Savigar-Shaw, Associate Professor in Policing at Staffordshire University, and John Gilham, Trustee and Systems Lead at Gambling Harm UK.

Dr Savigar-Shaw and Professor Gemma Briggs of the Open University conducted a UK-wide YouGov survey of 6,570 people, including 5,639 driving licence holders.

The findings showed that 94% of licence holders said gambling had not affected their driving. However, six per cent – 339 drivers – reported consequences they associated with gambling or thoughts about gambling.

These included gambling-related fatigue (2%), while inappropriate speeds, reduced focus, risk-taking, near misses and collisions were each reported by 1%.

A further 3% said concerns about a friend’s or family member’s gambling had affected their driving.

Dr Savigar-Shaw said road risk could arise from factors beyond directly gambling or using a mobile phone behind the wheel.

“It may come from thoughts about the process, emotional state and fatigue – and not necessarily personal gambling,” she said.

The webinar also referenced Canadian research which found high-risk gamblers were almost twice as likely to suffer a road traffic injury as a driver.

Supporting drivers and employers
John Gilham described how driving his son to hospital after learning he was contemplating suicide left him with “no focus” behind the wheel.

He said the greatest range of gambling-related harm could lie among people whose gambling did not reach a clinical threshold.

The speakers stressed that the research did not prove gambling causes collisions, but highlighted the potential effects of distraction, fatigue and anxiety on driving.

Practical responses discussed included publicly funded campaign assets from Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership, gambling-blocking software and education programmes from Drive Commander, and calls for employers to include gambling within workplace wellbeing policies.

Gilham said managers should look for changes in sleep, mood, attendance or concentration and ask empathetic, open questions rather than attempting to diagnose gambling problems.

Anyone too tired to drive safely should not drive, whatever the underlying cause.

Gambling Harm UK provides free workplace resources, including a chief executive pledge and manager guidance, and is developing a funding bid for further research into how gambling features in reported incidents.

The Road Safety Trust has awarded £115,000 in grant funding for four new projects to support police with reducing deaths and serious injuries on UK roads.

The initiatives range from measuring the effectiveness of motorcycle-based speed enforcement on rural roads, to the introduction of a ranking system identifying a county’s ‘most risky’ drivers to better target enforcement and educational interventions.

The projects were selected through a rigorous review process, following the Trust’s summer 2026 Police Grants funding round, which invited applications for police initiatives to improve road safety at a local level.

Ruth Purdie OBE, chief executive of The Road Safety Trust, said: “I am proud to support four excellent initiatives that have the potential to make a real difference on our roads. The role of policing – whether through law enforcement, intelligence gathering or proactive operations – is fundamental to improving road safety.

“These new grants reflect the importance of investing in research and intervention that can deliver real-world impact in reducing criminality and improving road safety, ultimately reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries. I look forward to gaining valuable insights as these projects progress.”

This latest funding means The Road Safety Trust has awarded nearly £700,000 to police forces to test and develop innovative roads policing interventions designed to reduce harm on our roads.

This year, the Trust is offering a second window to apply for funding under its Police Road Safety Grants Round. The round has re-opened on 2 November for further expressions of interest, with forces invited to put forward project ideas up to the value of £30,000 in funding.

Eligible projects could include the evaluation of successful police interventions, further development and dissemination of findings, or trials of new initiatives.

Applicants have until 7 December to submit their outline proposal, with final funding decisions due to be made in spring 2027.

]]> https://roadsafetygb.org.uk/news/the-road-safety-trust-awards-115000-for-police-research-and-interventions/feed/ 0 https://roadsafetygb.org.uk/news/life-saving-prime-markings-are-introduced-in-england-for-the-first-time/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=life-saving-prime-markings-are-introduced-in-england-for-the-first-time https://roadsafetygb.org.uk/news/life-saving-prime-markings-are-introduced-in-england-for-the-first-time/#respond Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:52:32 +0000 https://roadsafetygb.org.uk/?post_type=news&p=24295

Derbyshire has become the first county in England to introduce pioneering road markings and signs designed to help motorcyclists navigate bends more safely.

Derbyshire County Council is the first English highway authority to receive special authorisation from the Department for Transport to use the PRIME signs and road markings at approved locations across the county.

The first markings have been installed on the B6015 Woodhead Road at Devil’s Elbow, near Glossop, and the A6 between Buxton and Bakewell. Further approved locations across the county will follow as part of a phased programme.

PRIME stands for Perceptual Rider Information for Maximising Expertise and Enjoyment. It uses specialist signs and a series of road markings, known as ‘gateways’, to provide visual guidance for motorcyclists approaching demanding bends.

The markings encourage riders to travel through the gaps between them, helping them choose an appropriate speed and road position before entering the bend and reducing the need to brake while negotiating it.

PRIME was developed and first applied on trunk roads in Scotland as part of a pioneering motorcycle safety research programme funded by The Road Safety Trust. The approach has since been introduced at four locations in North and Mid Wales. The Derbyshire programme is the first application of PRIME in an English county.

Cllr Charlotte Hill, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways, said: “We are proud that Derbyshire is leading the way as the first county in England to introduce this innovative approach.

“Derbyshire’s roads are enjoyed by motorcyclists from across the region, and we want riders to be able to enjoy them safely.

“The late Professor Alex Stedmon played a central role in developing PRIME and demonstrating how it could positively influence rider behaviour. As a Derbyshire resident, it is particularly significant that his pioneering work is now being put into practice in the county he called home. This programme is part of the important legacy he leaves to road safety, and we are grateful for the academic work and expertise that made it possible.

“By working with Derbyshire Constabulary and National Highways, we are taking a practical, evidence-led approach to improving motorcycle safety across the county.”

Locations in Derbyshire were selected following analysis of motorcycle collision data from 2015 to 2024.

The council looked for clusters of motorcycle collisions on rural roads, with additional consideration given to locations where bends or loss of control appeared to have been contributing factors.

The Derbyshire programme is being delivered through a partnership involving Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire Constabulary and National Highways.

Temporary chief constable Simon Blatchly, who leads the National Police Chief’s Council’s motorcycle portfolio, said: “It is good to see Derbyshire leading the way, becoming the first county in England to install PRIME markings.

“As a biker myself I am committed to doing all we can to make sure that every rider who enjoys our scenic Derbyshire roads does so in the safest way possible and gets home to their loved ones after their ride.

“PRIME has been well received in Scotland and Wales, so it is positive to see it now coming to England and I am proud that Derbyshire is spearheading the roll out.

“It is an innovative safety system which will help keep motorcyclists safe and I’d encourage everyone who enjoys riding in our county to follow the markings when they see them.

“As part of our commitment to motorcycle safety, which has this year seen the launch of our Own Your Ride campaign, we will be undertaking evaluation at the sites using PRIME markings, alongside academic research to ensure their effectiveness.

“The markings will be rolled out on relevant roads across the county so there will be opportunities for riders to try them out for themselves in the coming months.”

Temporary Chief Constable Simon Blatchly introduces PRIME markings in Derbyshire

Alongside the installation programme, Derbyshire Constabulary intends to use existing roadside camera equipment to observe rider behaviour before and after the markings are introduced at selected locations.

Ruth Purdie OBE, chief executive of The Road Safety Trust, said: “We are proud to have supported this hugely important development in motorcycle safety. The extensive study undertaken by our colleagues at Transport Scotland clearly demonstrated that PRIME markings work, saving lives and creating lasting behaviour change in riders.

“Such was the impact, they have been included in the government’s Road Safety Strategy, and it’s fantastic to now see England’s first installation of the markings. I look forward to seeing them have an equally positive impact on rider safety in Derbyshire.”

The observations will examine factors including riders’ speed and road position and will help assess how the markings affect rider behaviour in Derbyshire and whether the positive findings from Scotland can be replicated on Derbyshire’s roads.

The initial installations will allow the project partners to learn from the process before work progresses at the remaining locations covered by the Department for Transport authorisation.

The rollout will include approved locations on:

• A57 Snake Pass
• A54 Macclesfield Main Road
• A53 Axe Edge
• B6015 Woodhead Road
• A623 Peak Forest
• A6 between Buxton and Bakewell
• B5035 Middleton-by-Wirksworth

Any future use beyond those locations will depend on the findings from the Derbyshire programme and future decisions by the Department for Transport.

Almost four in five drivers (79%) would consider taking a professional refresher or driver-confidence lesson in certain circumstances, with more than one in five saying they would seek support if a collision affected their confidence behind the wheel.

The findings come from new research by AA Insurance, which highlights the potential role of professional driving support in helping experienced motorists refresh their skills, address concerns and regain confidence.

The survey found that just 21% of drivers would not consider taking a professional refresher or driver-confidence lesson under any of the circumstances presented.

Family and friends raising concerns about their driving was the most frequently cited reason for considering professional support, selected by 28% of respondents.

Other reasons included refreshing knowledge of the Highway Code and changes to road rules (23%), a collision affecting confidence (22%) and returning to driving after a prolonged period away from the road (19%).

Meanwhile, 17% would consider a lesson as they got older and wanted reassurance about their driving, while 16% said they would use professional support to address bad driving habits they may have developed.

The research also identified a difference between men and women, with 26% of men saying they would not consider a professional refresher lesson in any of the circumstances listed, compared with 12% of women.

The impact of collisions on driving confidence
A collision can affect drivers beyond the immediate damage to their vehicle, with some motorists experiencing a loss of confidence when they return to the road.

Even relatively minor incidents can leave drivers feeling apprehensive about getting behind the wheel again, particularly if they have not experienced a collision for many years.

Mark Bowden, from AA Insurance Services, said: “A collision can be an unsettling experience, and its impact isn’t always limited to damage to the vehicle. Even after a relatively minor incident, drivers can find their confidence has taken a knock when they next get behind the wheel.

“This survey shows more than one in five drivers would consider professional help if a collision affected their confidence. That’s why the support Accident Assist provides doesn’t necessarily stop when the vehicle is being dealt with.”

The research also highlights how drivers can spend decades behind the wheel without having their driving professionally assessed after passing their test.

During that time, road layouts, vehicles and road rules can change, while motorists may develop habits or become less familiar with skills they rarely use.

Mark Born, head of training at AA Driving School, said: “Almost four in five drivers being open to a refresher lesson shows that learning doesn’t necessarily stop when you pass your test.

“Roads, vehicles and the Highway Code change over time, while drivers can develop habits or simply find there are parts of driving they don’t encounter very often.”

Road safety analysts will gather in Birmingham next March to examine progress since the publication of the government’s Road Safety Strategy and explore how data can be used to measure improvements towards its targets.

Joining the Dots, the RSGB National Analysts Conference, returns to the IET on Tuesday 2 March 2027 for its 12th year, bringing together professionals from across the road safety sector to share research, evidence and practical approaches to analysis.

The conference will focus on changes in road safety data, the development of new Safety Performance Indicators and how analysts can assess whether interventions are delivering meaningful improvements.

Kate Carpenter, president of the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT), will open the event. Carpenter is director of operational road safety at Jacobs and has 27 years’ experience specialising in highway safety governance.

The programme draws largely on papers submitted by professionals working across national government, highway authorities, local authorities, universities, emergency services and consultancies. Sessions will include presentations, parallel streams, panel discussions and a practical workshop.

Understanding the whole collision picture
A key theme for 2027 will be improving understanding of collisions by bringing together information from different sources.

STATS19 remains the foundation of road safety analysis, with the conference’s closing session examining new evidence on how collision severity is recorded and efforts to establish international injury reporting standards.

Speakers will also explore the growing use of linked police, ambulance, hospital and vehicle data to provide a more comprehensive picture of collisions, including how they happen and their consequences for those involved.

Connected vehicle data will feature throughout the programme, including its potential to improve national road safety intelligence and support more targeted speed enforcement.

Examining who carries the risk
The conference will also consider how national casualty targets can mask differences between communities and road user groups.

Sessions will examine pedestrian risk in communities where deprivation measures do not necessarily reflect the level of danger, alongside the slower reductions in casualties among vulnerable road users compared with vehicle occupants.

The programme will also explore how access to post-collision assistance can vary depending on where a collision occurs.

Evaluating what works
A further focus will be evaluating road safety interventions and identifying evidence that can inform future decisions.

Highway authorities will share findings from junctions, motorways and local roads, alongside real-world evaluations of vehicle safety standards and in-vehicle technology.

A practical post-crash response workshop will give delegates the opportunity to work in small groups through case studies, following a collision from its initial recording through to the care provided afterwards.

The conference is designed to help analysts benchmark their work against the new Safety Performance Indicators, explore methods they can apply to their own data and exchange experiences with colleagues facing similar challenges elsewhere in the country.

Dan Campsall, chairman of Agilysis, said: “The Road Safety Strategy has given the profession national targets to work towards, and analysts are the people who will show whether we’re getting there.

“Joining the Dots exists so they can learn from each other: what’s working, which data holds up, and where the gaps still are. This year’s programme reflects that, and the workshop gives delegates the chance to get hands-on with the evidence.”

Booking now open
Standard tickets cost £180, with an earlybird rate of £99 available until 30 November 2026 for RSGB members and users of MAST, the Speed Compliance Tool and CrashMap Pro.

Tickets are available at roadsafety.network/conference.

A new research project is exploring whether a safety rating system for car insurance could help young drivers and their parents identify policies that actively support safer driving.

The Young Driver Insurance Safety Framework project brings together road safety researchers, insurance specialists and communications experts to investigate how insurance products could help reduce collisions involving young drivers and better protect them, their passengers and other road users.

Funded through Transport Scotland’s Road Safety Framework Fund, the feasibility study is being led by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS), working alongside Confused.com, Agilysis, Defaqto and Angelica Solutions, as well as researchers Dr Neale Kinnear and Dr Elizabeth Box, and road safety communications specialist Rebecca Morris.

The project will investigate whether a common safety rating approach could help young drivers and families look beyond price when choosing motor insurance, making it easier to identify products with evidence-based features designed to encourage safer driving.

In Great Britain in 2025, 269 people were killed and 4,466 seriously injured in collisions involving car drivers aged 17-24. Young drivers’ increased collision risk and the resulting cost of claims are key reasons why their insurance premiums are often significantly higher.

The research will focus particularly on telematics, commonly known as ‘black box’ insurance. It will examine the driving behaviours monitored by different products, how feedback and incentives are delivered, and the quality of evidence linking these features to improved road safety.

The findings will inform the development of a safety assessment framework and a prototype consumer-facing rating system, which will be tested with young drivers, parents and industry stakeholders.

Jamie Hassall, executive director of PACTS, said: “The strength of this project is the expertise coming together. Road safety researchers, behavioural scientists, insurance and consumer specialists each bring a different perspective. Working together allows us to connect robust evidence with how insurance policies are designed, used and chosen by families.

“Price understandably matters to young drivers and their families, but it can be harder to judge how effectively a policy supports safer driving. We want to test whether a safety rating could make that support easier to recognise and compare, helping families make informed choices and encouraging improvements across the market.

“Insurance companies recognise the risk of young drivers and are keen to play their part in a safe system to help reduce the risks young drivers face and help them develop as safe and competent drivers.”

Young drivers and parents in Scotland will be invited to take part in surveys and focus groups to explore how they choose and use insurance, their understanding of telematics and how they respond to safety information.

Insurers, brokers and comparison platforms will also contribute, helping establish the evidence requirements and the commercial and technical feasibility of an assessment framework.

The research will also draw on behavioural science, recognising that young people gain driving experience while areas of the brain responsible for planning, decision-making and self-control continue to develop.

Dr Neale Kinnear, of Affective Mobility and the project’s technical lead, said: “Telematics insurance can play a significant role in managing young driver risk, but the design and delivery of a product is critical to its effectiveness for improving safety.

“Consumers need a way to quickly assess differences between products, but any information or rating system needs a credible foundation.

“We will develop the assessment criteria and test whether the resulting information is understandable and useful to consumers, practical for industry and capable of influencing choices. We will also examine its limitations and possible unintended consequences.”

The feasibility study will run until August 2027, with its findings informing recommendations on whether and how a young driver insurance safety rating system could be introduced more widely.

Police forces across the UK are taking part in a nationwide campaign to check drivers’ eyesight and raise awareness of the legal vision standards required to drive.

The fourth annual Is Your Vision Roadworthy? initiative, led by the Older Drivers Forum, Eye Health UK and the University of Warwick, is currently under way, with officers carrying out 20-metre number plate tests alongside community engagement activities.

The campaign aims to highlight the dangers of driving with uncorrected or defective eyesight. According to the campaign organisers, 18 people lost their lives on UK roads in 2025, while around 3,000 are seriously injured each year as a result of drivers or riders with eyesight problems.

Under current legislation, motorists must be able to read a standard vehicle number plate from 20 metres (approximately five car lengths), achieve a visual acuity of at least 6/12 on the Snellen scale, with corrective eyewear if necessary, and meet the required visual field standards. Additional requirements apply to lorry and bus drivers.

The 2025 Is Your Vision Roadworthy? survey found that more than 1.2 million motorists were driving on Britain’s roads with defective eyesight, with some falling significantly below the legal minimum. One driver was only able to read a registration plate from a distance of 70cm.

During the campaign, drivers are being invited to read a number plate from a measured distance of 20 metres. Tests are taking place in good daylight conditions, with motorists wearing any glasses or contact lenses they normally use when driving.

David Cartwright, chair of Eye Health UK, said: “Road safety starts with clear vision. Ninety percent of the information a driver uses is visual, yet many motorists are unaware of their legal responsibility to meet eyesight standards for driving.

“Worryingly, when we last surveyed motorists’ vision 4 in 10 drivers had not had a sight test in the last two years, as recommended.”

Under legislation known as Cassie’s Law, drivers who fail a roadside number plate test could have their licence revoked immediately if a police officer considers them unsafe to remain on the road.

Chief constable Jo Shiner, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for roads policing, said: “Personal responsibility is the starting point for safer roads. Making sure your eyesight meets the standards of vision for driving is really important and something only you can do to keep yourself and all other road users safe while driving.”

Rob Heard MBE, chair of the Older Drivers Forum, added: “This campaign is a timely reminder of motorists’ responsibility to ensure their vision is fit to drive and highlights the fact that routine sight tests are important safety checks, just like an MOT is for your car.”

As eyesight can deteriorate gradually without motorists realising, drivers are advised to have a sight test every two years, even if they believe their vision is fine.

Results from the nationwide roadside screening campaign will be published in the new year and will contribute to the initiative’s ongoing advocacy work.

For further information, practical advice and details of the legal eyesight standards, visit Is Your Vision Roadworthy?.

With more than 400 delegates already booked, a record-breaking exhibition and a packed two-day agenda, the 2026 National Road Safety Conference is shaping up to be the biggest yet.

The National Road Safety Conference (NRSC) is Road Safety GB’s flagship event, with the 2026 edition – the 16^th – being held at The Queens Hotel, Leeds on 24-25 November 2026. It is sponsored by GEM Motoring Assist, Jenoptik, Smart Start, Waymo and Westcotec.

Attendees comprise a mix of local authority road safety managers/officers, police and fire & rescue officers, academics and representatives from the third and private sectors.

With comfortably in excess of 400 attendees booked (as of 21 October), this year’s event looks set to surpass the 420 delegates who attended NRSC 2025 at Wyboston Lakes in Bedfordshire.

The full agenda is now available to view on the conference website, featuring around 80 presentations and workshops exploring a wide range of current road safety challenges, research and practical interventions.

The main conference programme covers topics including road safety education in schools, autonomous and connected vehicles, e-scooters and e-bikes, young and novice drivers, speed management, and the Safe System and Vision Zero.

Alongside the main programme, the Fringe programme, supported by National Highways, will explore topics including cycling, powered two-wheelers, impaired driving, public health and fitness to drive.

There are also nine Optional workshops which give delegates the opportunity to examine practical approaches to road safety in greater depth, share experiences and learn from initiatives taking place across the UK.

In addition, a record 35 organisations have booked to participate in the sold-out exhibition that runs alongside the conference.

Secure your place today
Day delegate places are still available, but anyone planning to attend is encouraged to book sooner rather than later.

Nick Rawlings, who heads up the organising committee, said: “NRSC provides a unique opportunity to hear from leading experts, discover fresh approaches, exchange ideas and connect with colleagues from across the road safety community.”

Places can be booked for either day or both days, with fees including conference sessions, lunch and other refreshments – as well as the optional workshops, most of which still have availability.

Attendees considering booking a day ticket are encouraged to view the agenda, which outlines the dates and times for each session.

For more information about NRSC 2026, please contact either Sally Bartrum (delegate registration) or Nick Rawlings (agenda and speakers etc). Both can be reached on 01379 650112.