Every Partnership needs a driving force to embed the Safe System effectively

By Fay Cannon, Co-ordinator, Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership

When I began as a Partnership Co-ordinator five years ago, Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership was in its infancy. Terms like ‘Vision Zero’ and ‘Safe System’ were only just beginning to surface in conversations, often spoken tentatively, without a clear plan or shared understanding.

Today, we can see the strides we have made. The Partnership is progressing, with dedicated working groups for each Safe System element, and the question “How does this align with the Safe System?” is now a routine part of discussions across all partner organisations. We may not have cracked it all, but we are proud of the progress we are making and being involved in the national Safe System network.

Supporting a Road Safety Partnership requires a surprisingly broad and evolving knowledge base. On any given day, I might be involved in meetings about installing new safety cameras, exploring how procurement policies can support our vision or considering the implications of vehicle automation. Within Partnership boards, unexpected questions often arise, and it can be rewarding to be that independent representative to help answer these questions.

Keep embedding the Safe System

The volume of reading and understanding required for the role as Partnership Co-ordinator can feel overwhelming at times. Yet, I see this as one of the most enjoyable aspects of the role. Staying informed about emerging evidence and exploring how it can be applied locally is important to keep the Partnership progressing and embedding the Safe System. Now, I can turn to Co-Pilot to further my knowledge.

I’ve been fortunate to attend the Road Safety GB conference annually since I started in this role. The event is a valuable opportunity to network, hear from experts across the sector, and bring back fresh ideas and insights to share with the Partnership’s working groups. However, with the conference held only once a year, there can be quieter periods where opportunities for learning and connection feel limited.

The launch of the Co-Pilot community has really helped filled that gap. The ongoing opportunities to connect, collaborate, and share challenges have been invaluable. The Masterclass sessions, in particular, have expanded my knowledge and the team’s. Their bite-sized format allows for flexibility, whether revisiting key points or diving deeper into related research.

A go-to resource

Dan Campsall’s Introduction to the Safe System has become a go-to resource I now share with all new officers across the Partnership so we can embed understanding of the Safe System from day one. These masterclasses have helped build confidence in areas traditionally outside the remit of road safety teams. For example, Professor Nick Reed’s class on Vehicle Technology has facilitated our Safe Vehicles group to better understand modern car safety features.

Similarly, Professor Neville Stanton’s session on the socio-technical approach to collision investigation has been shared with our Fatal Review Board to support their ongoing training.

It’s often the smallest insights that have the biggest impact. Professor Tim Nutbeam’s discussion of the EXIT project prompted me to share information about injury risks for older drivers with our education team, enhancing our Mature Driver Workshop sessions.

I look forward to seeing more Masterclasses from Co-Pilot and continuing to expand my understanding of the Safe System and the wider road safety sector.

To find out how to join Fay and others working together as part of the Vision Zero Community, click here.