Government Launches Road Safety Investigation Branch
Following public consultation last year, the government has announced it is creating a road safety investigation branch (RSIB) with the intention to reduce casualties and boost safety. There has been overwhelming support for the creation of the branch with focus on the branch’s responsibility and legal powers.
The RSIB will be given responsibility to investigate the causes of collisions as well as identifying root cause and interpretation of data to make valid recommendations to improve safety.
The government expects the branch will use this data, alongside data from manufacturers, telematics providers and insurance companies to improve road safety interventions and recommendations.
Roads minister Baroness Vere said:Â
“The UK may have some of the safest roads in the world, but tragedies still happen and any injury or death on our road network is one too many. That’s why we’re establishing the road safety investigation branch, so we can boost safety for road-users even further and also bring safety measures in line with other modes of transport and the future of travel.”
Following investigations, the branch will not apply liability or blame but will draw evidential facts to help prevent similar occurrences in the future.
