We can’t achieve Vision Zero alone, warn UK road safety professionals

A growing number of UK road safety professionals are joining forces to tackle road deaths and serious injuries - recognising that, however committed and collaborative local efforts may be, they cannot deliver the scale of change needed without leadership and support from national Government.

In the absence of a national Vision Zero strategy or UK-wide road safety plan, professionals from local authorities, police forces, fire and rescue services and charities are uniting through the Vision Zero Community, powered by Co-Pilot - the only dedicated platform for those working to eliminate road harm through a Safe System approach.

While local strategies remain essential, their impact will always be limited without leadership, coordination and investment from the national Government. 

The Vision Zero Community plays a vital role in supporting professionals to align their efforts, share knowledge and build collective strength across regions and sectors.

Around 200 professionals from a wide range of organisations have already joined the Community, which enables collaboration, shared learning and collective problem-solving - all with the goal of making faster progress towards Vision Zero.

“In the absence of a joined-up national strategy, the Vision Zero Community gives us a way to connect and align our efforts,” said Dr Elizabeth Box, Behavioural Science Consultant at Co-Pilot, which facilitates the Community.

“We are stronger and more effective when we work together.”

Launched in September 2024, the Vision Zero Community provides a first-of-its-kind digital platform – part social network, part professional hub – designed specifically for the road safety sector. It brings together practitioners, educators, enforcers, engineers, driver trainers, policymakers, campaigners and researchers, all united by one goal: to end road trauma.

“The Community is the only way we can really work together on our shared commitment to Vision Zero,” said Rebecca Morris, founder of Vision Zero Communications and a member of the Vision Zero Community, powered by Co-Pilot.

“Authorities are doing excellent work locally, but we can only go so far on our own. This is about creating strength in numbers.”

Current members include professionals from 80 organisations, including:
DVSA, Essex Police, IAM RoadSmart, Isle of Wight Council, Loughborough University, National Highways, Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office, Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, Plymouth City Council, RAC Foundation, Road Safety Trust, Somerset Council, South Gloucestershire Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council, Staffordshire Commissioner’s Office, Staffordshire County Council, Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Surrey Police, Sussex Police, Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, The Honest Truth, The Instructor Podcast / TCDrive, The Open University, Safer Essex Roads Partnership, TyreSafe, UKROEd, University of Sheffield, University of Southampton, Vision Zero South West, Warwickshire County Council, Warwickshire Police, West Mercia Police.

To find out more or join the Vision Zero Community click here.