My Role in The Safe System

Duncan Vernon, Deputy Director and Consultant in Public Health, Warwickshire

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Duncan Vernon is a senior public health specialist in Warwickshire with a background in transport, road safety and health inequalities. He is Associate/Deputy Director and Consultant in Public Health working across Warwickshire County Council and South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust, contributing to the Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care System and Health and Wellbeing Board. Previously at RoSPA, he authored “Road Safety and Public Health” and led projects connecting active travel, urban planning and population health. His current work focuses on neighbourhood health, homelessness and health data, and using cross-sector partnerships to improve outcomes for vulnerable communities.

George Chester-Master from George's Car Media talks about his role in the Safe System

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0000

George Chester-Master has built one of the UK’s most influential car culture channels, turning more than a billion views into a force for safer, smarter driving among young and enthusiast drivers. In this episode, he talks candidly to James Luckhurst about his journey from creating engaging performance-focused content to becoming a trusted voice on legality, etiquette and risk on the road. Crucially, George is willing to unpack the story behind his driving ban – how “just a bit over” on several SP30 offences added up to a court appearance, a six‑month loss of licence and a hard reset of his attitudes to speed, responsibility and the consequences of everyday choices. He explains how that experience, together with losing friends to dangerous and impaired driving, reshaped his mission to “race the track, not the road” and to act as a relatable “bigger brother” for his audience.

George's Car Media - Website

George's Car Media - YouTube

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George's Car Media - LinkedIn

Renee Rogers from Ono talks about supporting drivers following a fleet collision

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Renee Rogers from Ono talks to James about supporting drivers following a fleet collision.

Renee is founder and chief executive of Ono, a company that supports drivers and fleets in the aftermath of some of the most stressful incidents on the road, helping them navigate both the human and organisational impacts of collisions. She also serves as a trustee of the Association for Road Risk Management (ARRM), the professional body focused on managing work-related road risk and championing evidence-led, safesystem thinking across organisations of all sizes. In this conversation James Luckhurst explores how her work with Ono and ARRM fits into the Safe System approach, what that means for employers and professional drivers, and how better post‑crash support and leadership can contribute to a future free from death and serious injury on our roads

Ono Website

CLEAR the incident: Steve Bird, senior advisor for National Highways

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000

James talks to Steve Bird about how National Highways and the Emergency Services CLEAR a major incident on the Strategic Road Network

England’s motorways and major A‑roads make up the Strategic Road Network – more than 4,300 miles of high‑speed routes managed and operated by National Highways. This network is among the most advanced anywhere in the world, supporting around 4 million journeys every day and moving over a billion tonnes of freight each year. It underpins the country’s social and economic wellbeing by linking communities, enabling access to employment, and keeping businesses connected.

When a serious incident occurs, a core priority is to resolve the situation quickly and efficiently so any casualties can be swiftly attended to and the road can reopen. The CLEAR approach highlights how teams work closely with emergency services and other partners to achieve these aims.

CLEAR is often described as a way of getting roads open more quickly after major incidents. Steve explains how this fits within the wider Safe System approach where safety, evidence and learning come first rather than simply ‘getting traffic moving’.

I'm fuming... the words of Bobby Colleran, according to his mother Joanne

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Bobby Colleran died in Liverpool in 2014 at the age of six. As a result, his mother Joanne founded the Bobby Colleran Trust and works tirelessly to provide children with road safety education resources. In March 2023, after years of fundraising and dedication, she opened Bobby’s Base, a unique health and well-being centre in West Derby, Liverpool. This one-of-a-kind, child-friendly space offers therapy, a sensory garden, and a calm, nurturing environment where children can heal, build resilience, and regain confidence.

James Luckhurst went to Bobby's Base where he caught up with Joanne and her colleague Anne Mckenna.

The Bobby Colleran Trust

The day I said 'Yes' to Prince Michael...

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000

For this episode, we welcome Adrian Walsh, a defining voice in UK road safety for decades leading initiatives that have transformed how transport safety is understood and delivered. As director of Road Safe and founder of the Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards, Adrian has championed collaboration, innovation and evidence led change. This conversation allows a chance to reflect on his remarkable journey, and in particular, his contributions to the safe system and the future of road safety. Adrian's leadership has inspired generations of professionals committed to saving lives and building safer transport networks worldwide.

What the research tells us about E-Bikes - with Sarah Vaughan

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0000

James Luckhurst sits down with Sarah Vaughan, lead researcher at Angelica Solutions, to explore one of the fastest-changing areas in urban mobility: the rise of E-bikes, and what their growth means for safety, behaviour, policy, and the wider Safe System.

Sarah, who has over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, returns to the podcast with insights from her latest white paper, which analyses e-bike usage, risks, and opportunities. Her work blends hard data, roadside observation, and industry expertise to help policymakers, insurers, and transport professionals understand how this emerging mode fits into the vision of sustainable, safe transport.

In this episode:

Why E-bikes matter - the huge potential for active travel, reduced congestion, and greener cities.
Where the risks are growing- including lack of helmet use (just 19% of riders observed), red-light jumping (54% of E-bike riders), and the rise of unregistered or illegally modified bikes.
The data challenge - how the absence of E-bike identifiers in Stats19 hampers meaningful analysis and makes collisions hard to track.
Delivery riders and new behaviours - what happens when a rapidly expanding workforce has no licensing, training, or traceability.
Infrastructure frustrations - why human behaviour at junctions can’t be fixed by enforcement alone, and what Scandinavian examples can teach us
Insurance concerns - the gap in protection for pedestrians and riders when most bikes aren’t insured and collisions go unrecorded.
Policy questions - whether registration, speed compliance, or clearer rules are needed before adoption outpaces safety frameworks.
Simple, practical steps - from promoting helmet use and alcohol awareness to encouraging mutual respect between all road users.

Sarah also talks us through her personal journey from cautious observer to regular E-bike rider, and how those lived experiences sharpened her interest in understanding the true risks and rewards of E-bikes today.

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

Welcome to the Project EDWARD Podcast, where we explore data-driven actions for safe mobility.

Join the EDWARD team and our key partners as we facilitate events, symposiums, webinars, discussions, and podcast episodes. Our mission is to share evidence-led good practices that support the Safe System. Tune in to stay informed and inspired by the latest in road safety and mobility innovations.

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Cameras, Data and Protecting Communities, with Tom Duckham

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0000

James Luckhurst sits down with Tom Duckham, Chief Executive of Redspeed International, for a conversation about technology, enforcement, career journeys, and what it really takes to make a lasting difference in road safety.

Tom’s road into the industry was anything but conventional. As he puts it, a youth spent as a motorcycle dispatch rider meant he “saw things… that I wish I could unsee now”, experiences that quietly planted the seed for a lifelong commitment to reducing death and injury on the roads.

From his early days installing London’s first speed cameras in the early 1990s, through the era of camera partnerships, media battles, and evolving public attitudes, Tom talks openly about the challenges and misconceptions surrounding enforcement.

Throughout, Tom stresses the importance of partnership over product, summed up in Redspeed’s new strapline: “Safer Roads, Smarter Solutions, Protecting Communities.”

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

Welcome to the Project EDWARD Podcast, where we explore data-driven actions for safe mobility.

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Improving Driver Health for Safer Roads

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Commercial drivers keep the UK running, but the personal toll is huge, with high rates of diabetes, chronic fatigue, poor nutrition, and growing mental-health pressures. In this First Friday conversation, James Luckhurst brings together a panel of experts to unpack what’s really happening behind the wheel and what can be done about it.

Featuring Mark Cartwright (National Highways), Anna Earl (nutrevival), Kate Walker (Diabetes Safety Organisation), and Shaun Bridle (Warwickshire County Council), the discussion digs into the realities of shift work, blood-sugar crashes, missed warning signs, and why many drivers avoid seeking help.

You’ll hear practical, realistic solutions: small nutritional changes that make a big difference, how employers can support healthier habits, why driver roadworthiness needs board-level attention, and the hidden risks like peripheral neuropathy that often go unnoticed.

It’s an honest, insightful look at the human side of commercial driving — and how improving driver wellbeing improves road safety for everyone.

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

Welcome to the Project EDWARD Podcast, where we explore data-driven actions for safe mobility.

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Project EDWARD goes Global: New Zealand with Professor Simon Kingham

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0000

In this fifth edition of Project EDWARD Goes Global, we travel to New Zealand to explore how evidence-based policy and political decision-making can collide when it comes to road safety. Professor Simon Kingham, former Chief Science Advisor to the Ministry of Transport, shares his experience of helping shape the country’s “Road to Zero” strategy, and his frustration as a new government moves to reverse key safety measures, including lower speed limits.

Simon discusses the real-world consequences of sidelining science, the importance of co-benefits such as cleaner air and stronger communities, and why evidence, not ideology, must guide the path to safer roads. It’s an honest, sobering conversation about progress, setbacks, and persistence - a reminder that leadership, accountability, and valuing human life must sit at the heart of every transport decision.

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

Welcome to the Project EDWARD Podcast, where we explore data-driven actions for safe mobility.

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Project EDWARD goes Global: Vietnam with Trang Truong

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0000

In this edition of Project EDWARD Goes Global, the spotlight turns to Vietnam, where innovation and youth empowerment are driving safer roads. James Luckhurst speaks with Trang Truong from the AIP Foundation, whose AI and Me project recently won a Prince Michael International Road Safety Award.

By combining artificial intelligence with youth engagement, the initiative empowers students to identify and map high-risk areas around their schools. Their insights have already led to tangible improvements, crossings, speed bumps, and clearer signage at dozens of schools. Trang explains how the project overcame challenges such as COVID-19 disruptions and government bureaucracy through flexibility, creativity, and partnership. She also shares three key lessons: trust young people, pair technology with advocacy, and build strong partnerships. This episode highlights how smart technology and empowered communities can work together to make lasting, life-saving change on the world’s roads.

AIP Foundation – Transforming Mobility for All

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Project EDWARD goes Global: UAE with Thomas Edelmann

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0000

In the third edition of Project EDWARD Goes Global, host Harrison Keasey speaks with Thomas Edelmann, founder of Road Safety UAE, a platform dedicated to raising awareness and accountability on the nation’s roads.

With over a decade of impact, Thomas shares how evidence-based research, media collaboration, and partnerships with government and industry have helped drive major progress, including the introduction of the UAE’s holistic seatbelt law.

The discussion explores the power of data, corporate responsibility, and education in building a lasting safety culture in a diverse, fast-growing country. From tackling distracted driving to shaping safer habits among young motorists, this episode highlights how passion, persistence, and collaboration can truly save lives.

Road Safety UAE | The first Road Safety Portal in the UAE

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Project EDWARD goes Global: Finland with Dr. Igor Radun and Roni Utriainen

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Project EDWARD Goes Global, host Harrison Keasey visits Helsinki, a city long celebrated as a model for Vision Zero success. Joined by Dr. Igor Radun, a traffic psychology researcher, and Roni Utriainen, a traffic engineer for the City of Helsinki, the discussion explores how Finland’s capital achieved a full year without a single road fatality, and what lessons can be learned from that achievement.

The guests reflect on the many factors behind safer roads, from lower speed limits and improved cycling infrastructure to strong public transport and long-term policy commitment. Yet, recent tragedies highlight how fragile progress can be. Together, they examine how randomness, data interpretation, and the political climate all influence road safety.

Ultimately, the conversation underscores that while Vision Zero provides a powerful framework, maintaining safety demands constant vigilance, evidence-based action, and collaboration across every level of society.

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

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Project EDWARD goes Global: South Africa with Alida Venter

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Project EDWARD goes global starting with South Africa.

Harrison Keasey takes the reigns as he's joined by Alida Venter, founder of Drive More Safely, who shares her personal journey into road safety activism after the tragic loss of her son in a road crash. Alida explains how that moment led to the creation of her non-profit organisation, which has worked tirelessly for nearly two decades to reduce fatalities, support bereaved families, and advocate for safer driving.

The discussion explores the unique challenges South Africa faces, from high fatality rates and dangerous driving behaviours to the lack of resources in rural communities. Alida highlights how international collaboration through Project EDWARD is helping to inspire change and why community-driven campaigns, even small ones, can make a real difference. Her message is clear: responsibility begins behind the wheel, and every individual has the power to save lives.

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

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How Families Can Reduce Road Harm with Kate Monk

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +0000

James Luckhurst talks with Kate Monk, a driving instructor and trainer from Devon, about her work on My Learner Driver - a resource designed to support safer journeys for young drivers and their families.

Drawing on a decade of experience, Kate explains how recent tragedies in her community have shaped her approach to road safety and inspired a programme that goes beyond teaching test skills. Central to her work is engaging parents, whose driving habits and attitudes strongly influence new drivers. She highlights the importance of building risk awareness, developing anticipatory skills, and encouraging families to create their own safety strategies. The conversation also explores challenges of rural driving, the role of technology and psychology in behaviour change, and the need for wider support from policymakers and road safety professionals.

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

Welcome to the Project EDWARD Podcast, where we explore data-driven actions for safe mobility.

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The Campaign That Saved Lives with Barry Sheerman

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +0000

We revisit one of the most significant milestones in UK road safety: the introduction of compulsory seat belt wearing in the front seats of cars. Host James Luckhurst is joined by former MP Barry Sheerman, broadcaster Nick Ross, safety advocate Jean Gaffin, and barrister Glynn Maddocks, who together reflect on the years of campaigning, setbacks, and breakthroughs that led to the 1983 legislation.

They share personal stories, political challenges, and the role of evidence-based advocacy in saving countless lives. More than four decades on, their conversation highlights not only the legacy of that change but also the ongoing need to tackle complacency and protect vulnerable road users today.

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

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Transforming Cycling Data, with Charlie Wilson

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0000

James Luckhurst takes a cycling tour around Regent’s Park with Charlie Wilson from See.Sense, a company pioneering micromobility and cycling safety technology.

Charlie shares how See.Sense began with intelligent bike lights that respond to rider behaviour and has since evolved into advanced sensor systems capturing over 800 data points per second. These insights are helping local authorities, transport bodies, and organisations improve infrastructure, reduce risk, and encourage more people to choose active travel.

From award-winning projects with Transport for London to community initiatives with Essex Council and Sport England, Charlie explains how real-time cycling data can transform safety and support the Safe System approach. Join us for an engaging conversation on how technology, data, and smart design can create safer, more sustainable roads for everyone.

Check out See.Sense here

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

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Hiding in Plain Sight and the Risks We’re Overlooking on the Road with Kate Walker and Anna Earl

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Project EDWARD Podcast, we explore a critical yet often overlooked element of road safety... nutrition. James Luckhurst is joined by nutritional therapist Anna Earl (Nutrivival) and Kate Walker (Diabetes Safety) to examine the powerful links between diet, energy levels, and safe driving performance.

From understanding how poor nutrition can lead to fatigue and reduced concentration, to uncovering the hidden risks posed by undiagnosed or poorly managed diabetes, the conversation challenges employers and industry leaders to rethink their approach to driver wellbeing. Kate introduces the Hiding in Plain Sight report, a ground-breaking study calling for urgent industry action to address the risks diabetes poses to road users.

With practical solutions, examples of progressive workplace support, and a call for sustainable cultural change, this episode offers valuable insights for road safety professionals, fleet managers, and anyone committed to safer roads through better health.

Nutrivival

Diabetes Safety Organisation

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Rehabilitation Over Reprimand: A New Approach to Road Offences, with Sean O Connor

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Project EDWARD Podcast: My Role in the Safe System, James Luckhurst speaks with Seán O’Connor, founder of Ireland’s Drive Aware program, a unique initiative tackling road safety through education and rehabilitation rather than punishment.

Drawing on a background in addiction, mental health, and justice, Seán discusses how Drive Aware works with offenders, particularly young drivers, to explore the causes behind dangerous and careless driving. From self-referrals to court-mandated participation, the program focuses on understanding behaviour, reflecting on consequences, and promoting long-term change. Seán also reflects on the role of enforcement versus education in road safety strategy and why punitive measures alone often fall short.

With insights into human behaviour behind the wheel, this episode offers a compelling case for compassionate intervention and evidence-based reform.

Learn more about Drive Aware

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Mental Health Motorbike: Support on Two Wheels with Paul Oxborough

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +0000

In this compelling episode of the Project EDWARD podcast, James Luckhurst speaks with Paul Oxborough, founder of Mental Health Motorbike, the UK’s only dedicated mental health support charity for motorcyclists and their families.

Paul shares the poignant story behind the organisation’s creation following the tragic loss of a friend, and how that moment sparked a national movement supporting bikers' mental wellbeing. The discussion explores the crucial intersection between mental health and road safety, highlighting the importance of self-assessment before riding, and how focused riding can be both therapeutic and grounding.

Paul outlines the charity’s growth, including its national network of Mental Health First Aiders and powerful partnerships with road safety organisations. With moving anecdotes and practical strategies, this episode underscores the life-saving potential of peer support, presence at biker events, and proactive mental health engagement. A must-listen for anyone interested in the human side of road safety.

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

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PCCs on the Frontline of Road Safety with Joy Allen, PCC for Durham, and Philip Secccombe, PCC for Warwickshire.

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we’re joined by Police and Crime Commissioners Joy Allen (Durham) and Philip Seccombe (Warwickshire), two passionate leaders at the forefront of road safety reform. Together, they unpack the evolving role of PCCs in shaping both local and national road policing strategies.

From relaunching partnerships and rolling out tech like ANPR and Operation Snap, to pushing for bold policy changes like lower drink-driving limits and graduated driver licensing, they aren’t holding back. Both share hard-won insights, what they wish they’d known when they started, what needs to change, and how collaboration (across agencies and communities) is the real engine behind safer roads.

We also hear about the powerful impact of victim advocacy, the importance of holding forces accountable, and how every traffic stop could disrupt wider criminal activity. This is a must-listen for anyone invested in road safety, policy innovation, and community protection.

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

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Overhauling the system with Stewart Lochrie

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0000

In this episode of My Role in the Safe System, host James Luckhurst speaks with Stewart Lochrie, Managing Director of Caledonian Driver Training and Chair of the ADI National Joint Council.

Stewart shares candid insights into the challenges and opportunities within the driver training industry, particularly around instructor development, public expectations, and the crucial need for cultural change. He emphasises the importance of coaching over instruction, the shortcomings of current training models, and the urgent need to embed modern behavioural science into driving education.

With a focus on improving road safety outcomes and raising standards, Stuart advocates for systemic reform and greater collaboration across industry stakeholders. A must-listen for those passionate about safer roads and meaningful change in driver education.

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

Welcome to the Project EDWARD Podcast, where we explore data-driven actions for safe mobility.

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Inside the Safe System: A Doctor’s Call for Change with Dr Rob Torok

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0000

In this episode of the Project EDWARD podcast, James Luckhurst speaks with Dr. Rob Torok, an emergency medicine consultant and air ambulance doctor with over 20 years of frontline experience. While much of his career has focused on post-crash response, Torok now pushes for a stronger focus on prevention.

The constant stream of trauma victims has led him to question why road death and injury figures in the UK—around 1,700 deaths and 23,000 serious injuries annually—have barely changed in over a decade.

Dr Torok argues we need bold leadership, better use of technology, and a cultural shift in how we approach road safety. He calls for the full implementation of the promised Road Safety Investigation Branch. Above all, he believes it’s time to stop treating driving as routine and start recognising it as the high-risk activity it truly is.

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

Welcome to the Project EDWARD Podcast, where we explore data-driven actions for safe mobility.

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The Evolution of First Car with James Evans

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0000

James Luckhurst is joined by James Evans as they dive into the history or First Car. Other topics include:

Co-Pilot - The Vision Zero Community
Annoying the DVSA
The role of technology

Join Co-Pilot here

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

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The Hidden Epidemic with Kate Walker

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Kate Walker joins James Luckhurst to discuss the hidden epidemic that is diabetes and it's impact on road safety in a fascinating discussion that ventures into:

Legal obligations
The importance of braking down misconceptions
What is diabetes

Contact Kate here

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

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The importance of behaviour change with Professor Fiona Fylan

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Behaviour change psychologist Professor Fiona Fylan discusses strategies for promoting safer behaviours with James Luckhurst. The conversation centres on the Safe System approach to road safety, which focuses on the psychological aspects of behaviour change. The two emphasize the importance of understanding human factors to effectively reduce road traffic incidents.

Find Fiona Fylan here

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

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Implementation of Safe System Strategies with Dan Campsall from Agilysis

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0000

'Mr Safe System' Dan Campsall joins Jame Luckhurst to discuss Agilysis' role in the safe system and report back from the Global Road Safety Conference in Marrakesh. Topics include:

How the Safe System has been adopted in the UK
How Amazon, Uber, and Honda are now becoming involved
Future funding

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

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Said Dahdah from the World Bank addresses the estimated $800bn funding gap for global road safety

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Said Dahdah discusses the World Bank's role in the Safe System, including:

Key points from the Marrakesh declaration
How the World Bank is supporting low and middle income countries
The World Bank creating the Knowledge Bank and why road safety was included

Said also provides an interesting take on the Safe System and how it is sometimes misunderstood.

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

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James Luckhurst hears from Saul Jeavons at the Transafe Network

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Saul Jeavons joins us this week to take a look at fatal collision review boards, and discuss with the UK needs a road safety investigation branch.

Find Saul on LinkedIn

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Road Death: What is Justice?

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0000

This episode is a recording of a recent Project EDWARD webinar.

The topic is Road Death what is Justice? Which we hope offers an appropriate opportunity to navigate the complex intersection of law, safety and grief.

In an era where mobility is so important, the tragic reality of road fatalities continues to challenge our society on multiple fronts. This webinar brings together a diverse audience of legal professionals, law enforcement officers and bereaved families, road safety experts, coroners and academics to explore the issues surrounding road deaths and the pursuit of justice.

Over the next 60 minutes, we'll explore the web of legal, emotional and societal factors that come into play in the aftermath of a road fatality. Our distinguished panel of experts will discuss the latest developments in traffic law enforcement, the psychological impact on victims, families, advancements in road safety technology, and the role of forensic investigation in determining blame.

We aim to foster a dialogue that helps to bridge any gaps between those involved. By sharing insights, experiences and examples of good practice, we hope to contribute to the ongoing efforts to reduce road deaths, improve support for affected families, and enhance the efficacy of our justice system.

Your participation is crucial in shaping a future where our roads are safer, and justice is served with compassion and precision.

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

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James Luckhurst meets Sarah Vaughan from Angelica Solutions

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0000

James Luckhurst interviews Sarah Vaughan from Angelica Solutions. They discuss the role of insurers in road safety, particularly focusing on how driving style and collision frequency are related.

Sarah explains that insurers have a unique position to influence road safety due to their extensive data on crashes. However, she notes that insurers often prioritise profit over reducing collisions. They also talk about the potential benefits of telematics car insurance, which tracks driving behaviour and can encourage safer driving through incentives.

Sarah highlights the challenges of data sharing among insurers and the importance of pooling data for the greater good. They also discuss the increased risk of collisions at night and around airports, emphasising the need for better road safety policies and awareness.

Find Sarah on LinkedIn

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

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We're in conversation with Becky Morris from Vision Zero Communications

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Rebecca Morris of Vision Zero Communications joins James to explore how we get the road safety message to more people, including:

Aligning Vision Zero Strategies
The Forget-me-not-families
Graduated Driving Licences

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

Project EDWARD (Every Day Without A Road Death) is the biggest platform for showcasing good practice in road safety in the UK. Founded in 2016 as an annual event led by Police, Project EDWARD has grown into a year-round programme backed by government, the emergency services, highways agencies, road safety organisations and British businesses.

The campaign promotes an evidence-led, ‘safe system’ approach – the long-term objective of which is a road traffic system free from death and serious injury.

What's Your Role in the Safe System?

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0000

James Luckhurst and Terry Cook delve into the latest developments and future plans for Project EDWARD (Every Day Without A Road Death). They reflect on the previous series, highlighting the diverse range of guests and the valuable insights shared, particularly from unexpected contributors like coroners and surgeons.

Key Points:

Highlighting the Coroner's Role: James shares his experience meeting Senior Coroner Derek Winter and discusses the importance of coroners in the road safety system, including the prevention of future death messages.
Focus on the Safe System: The podcast emphasizes the Safe System approach, which includes safe vehicles, safe infrastructure, safe speeds, safe road users, and post-crash care. These components work together to prevent road fatalities.
Diverse Guest Contributions: The episode features stories from various professionals, including driving instructors, finance directors, and emergency responders, showcasing their roles in the Safe System.
Project EDWARD's Evolution: James explains the transition of Project EDWARD to a year-round programme under the care of the Association for Road Risk Management, focusing on webinars, podcasts, and events to promote road safety.
Upcoming Initiatives: James mentions upcoming activities, such as a horseback journey to raise awareness of vulnerable road users and the continuation of regular outputs and parliamentary receptions.

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

Welcome to the Project EDWARD Podcast, where we explore data-driven actions for safe mobility.

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GDL - An Australian perspective

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

Project EDWARD have replaced the annual week of action with a strategically-planned year-round programme of activity, guided by this year’s theme – Data-driven actions for safe mobility. The programme will involve members of the EDWARD team working with key partners to facilitate events, symposiums, webinars, discussions, podcast episodes and online activity… with the specific aim of sharing examples of evidence-led good practice that supports the Safe System.

The drivers who lack the confidence to drive

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

The AI that understands the likelihood of you crashing

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Johanna Foreske, Chief Business Officer, at Greater Than, joins James Luckhurst to discuss the AI that understands the likelihood of a driver being involved in a crash.

Conversation topics include:

How Greater Than generates your data
The benefits to insurance
What creates the data of a safe driver
How drivers can use the data
The Smart Driving Challenge

Find out more about Greater Than here

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

"The challenge for society is how to keep young fellas alive"

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Mark Wilsmore owns the Ace Cafe in London, established in 1938, today the Ace has become “the home” for petrolheads and is known as the world´s most famous motor cafe.

While Mark and Ace may have a real passion for riding, they also have a strong sense of duty to protect riders who may need persuading that things can and do go wrong.

Check out Ace Cafe here.

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

Project EDWARD has replaced the annual week of action with a strategically-planned year-round programme of activity, guided by this year’s theme – Data-driven actions for safe mobility. The programme will involve members of the EDWARD team working with key partners to facilitate events, symposiums, webinars, discussions, podcast episodes and online activity… with the specific aim of sharing examples of evidence-led good practice that supports the Safe System.

Westcotec sponsors the Project EDWARD Podcast

Accident or Collision?

Fri, 24 May 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Words matter.

Today James Luckhurst is joined by Laura Laker who shares her 10 guidelines for reporting on RTCs, particularly focussing on why we use 'vehicle' rather than 'driver'.

Whether you're reporting on RTCs, or simply discussing them, our language makes a difference.

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

Easing concerns around evolving car technology

Fri, 03 May 2024 06:00:00 +0000

In this thought-provoking episode, Harrison Keasey leads the discussion on the evolution of automotive technology and accessibility.

As autonomous vehicles become a reality, they promise convenience, safety, and efficiency. But how do these advancements impact individuals facing challenges?

Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of transportation, this episode offers valuable perspectives. Tune in as we navigate the road ahead, guided by empathy, innovation, and a commitment to leaving no one behind.

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

The Honest Truth

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Olly Tayler spent 30 years working in Devon and Cornwall police, half of which were focussed on road policing. Olly has since put his time into The Honest Truth; an app designed to help driving instructors provide road safety interventions with their students.

This has resulted in over 6,500 interventions so far.

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

Hands-free: Legal, but dangerous

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 07:00:00 +0000

In this edition, we need to talk about hands-free, as new research emphasises the dangers of hands-free phone use while driving.

Now, hands-free use by drivers is not against the law, but an extensive body of research has shown it's no safer than hand-held phone use and a project called ‘Are you a focused driver?’ has been encouraging police officers to avoid recommending hands-free to drivers as an alternative to hand-held.

It may make a driver legal, but it does nothing to reduce the distraction risk. Here to tell us more is the co-author of the project; Professor of applied cognitive psychology at the Open University, Gemma Briggs.

Find out more about Project EDWARD here.

Project EDWARD have replaced the annual week of action with a strategically-planned year-round programme of activity, guided by this year’s theme – Data-driven actions for safe mobility. The programme will involve members of the EDWARD team working with key partners to facilitate events, symposiums, webinars, discussions, podcast episodes and online activity… with the specific aim of sharing examples of evidence-led good practice that supports the Safe System.

The Role of the Surgeon

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the Project EDWARD podcast – My role in the safe system – with James Luckhurst.

The March 2024 episode introduces us to a surgeon, who explains how greater sharing of collision data - and medical information about crash victims - could lead to a better understanding of the causes and the costs – both human and financial – of death and injury on the country’s roads – and improve safety in the process.

Crash and casualty data is routinely collected by the police who attend incidents or are made aware of them. It is then published by the Department for Transport through a system called STATS19.

However, to get a more rounded picture of collisions and harm on the road network this should be better linked to other sources of data, particularly injury data collected in the national medical dataset, Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), and that recorded by the ambulance service and other parties involved in the aftermath of road crashes.

That is one conclusion of a report entitled – Data Linkage in Road Safety – funded by the RAC Foundation and the FIA Road Safety Grant Programme and I’m pleased to welcome its author to tell us more…

The Role of Driving Instructors

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 09:00:00 +0000

A very warm welcome to the latest edition of the podcast series from Project EDWARD - my role in the Safe System - that will be running through 2024. This time we welcome a great friend of Project EDWARD, Terry Cook: a driving instructor who runs the Instructor Podcast and the Five Minute Theory Test.

Introduction of the 20 mph speed limit

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Hello and welcome to the January 2024 edition of the Project Edward Podcast Series. The theme continues from last year as we invite guests to set out their own role in the safe system. My name is James Luckhurst and in this edition will be hearing from the winner of the Premier 2022 Prince Michael International Road Safety Award Professor Tim Nutbeam, who's director of the Exit Project, which has been revolutionizing extrication techniques.

Tim will be talking to us about how the project is bedded in where there's been resistance and how its key points can be replicated elsewhere in the world. First, though, we head to South Wales police headquarters to catch up with what is without exaggeration being the principality's hot road safety topic of 2023. The default 20 mile an hour speed limit introduction on restricted roads.

So let's meet two guests ready to discuss the value they think it brings and some other current matters as well. The management. Travis Lamb, currently the Deputy Chief Constable for South Wales Police and my former role was head of ops, which basically meant I looked after all things that supported policing in particular, including road policing and road safety.

So what would you say was your role in the safe system? My role is to set a strategy for how policing will work across Wales, to work with the four forces, our partners and very importantly, our GOSAFE team to create all of the right enablers, the right vision and the right resourcing to tackle that poor driver behavior, to create an environment where the roads are a safe place to be and to encourage education and an ultimately were necessary, then to ensure enforcement is in place.

But it's about basically having a strategy and a vision, working with our partners and making the roads safe to me. I am Teresa Ciano. I'm the partnership manager for Safe. I also chair Road Safety Wales and I'm a non-executive director and trustee of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety. So my role in NZ system is to administer offenses through use of technology in the roads that speed in mobile phones, not where you sit, but also Operation SNAP, which is where we take media footage from the public and they can use that to report driving offenses that they witness to us.

The Role of the Police and Crime Commissioner

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the Project EDWARD Podcast series for 2023. My role in the Safe system and we're now at episode eight. We're very pleased to welcome Lisa Townsend, Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner, who leads on Roads policing for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners. Darren Lindsey caught up with Lisa recently for a conversation all about her work and her role in the safe system.

The Role of Leadership

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Hello and welcome to episode seven of the Project. Edward 2023 Podcast with me, James Luckhurst. The title of the podcast season is My Role in the Safe System. And this week we're in the esteemed company of two leaders from the world of law enforcement. Joy Allen, Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham and the National Deputy Lead for Roads Policing and Jo Shiner, Chief Constable of Sussex and the National Police Chiefs Council lead for roads policing.

The Role of the Coroner in the Safe System

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Welcome to episode six of the Project EDWARD 2023 podcast. With me, James Luckhurst. The title of the podcast is My Role in the Safe System, and for this week's conversation, I've made the journey to the North East to catch up with someone whose own role in the safe system really only comes into play when something catastrophic has happened.

Time for a Break! - Professional drivers behind the wheel

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Hello and welcome to episode five of the project EDWARD 2023 Podcast. My role in the Safe system. This week our reporter is Darren Lindsey and he's in conversation with Mark Cartwright from National Highways for a discussion on some of the unique challenges faced by truck and van drivers on the Strategic Road Network and a look at what's being done to improve levels of safety, compliance and driver well-being.

Darren met Mark at the recent Fleet Operators Recognition Scheme (FORS) Conference in Birmingham, first asking him about the benefits of technology in supporting drivers.

Let's talk about Speed - National Road Safety Week

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Hello and welcome to episode four of the Project EDWARD 2023 Podcast. My role in the Safe system with me, James Luckhurst. In this program we catch up with Chris Spinks, Managing Director of Westcotec, for a chat about the best ways of utilizing technology to influence driver behaviour. But first, as it's mid-November, everyone in the road safety sector will be preparing to embrace one of the biggest happenings in the calendar Road Safety Week.

It's organised by Brake, and just a few days ago I had the opportunity to find out a bit more from Lucy Straker the campaigns manager at Brake, the Road Safety Charity.

Carrot & Stick - What really works?

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Hello and welcome to episode three of the Project EDWARD 2023 Podcast. My role in the Safe System. My name is James Luckhurst and today I'm in Liverpool with Dr. Adam Snow from Liverpool, John Moores University. Adam is going to be reflecting on the penalty points system for drivers, the totting up rules and whether anything has changed in terms of reported abuse of the exceptional hardship plea opportunity.

We'll also be considering the latest thinking on distractions in the company of Dr. George Yanis, who's a professor in traffic and safety engineering and director of the Department of Transportation Planning and Engineering at the School of Civil Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens.

The Role of Technology in the Safe system

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 08:00:00 +0000

In this episode, join Project EDWARD at the Highways UK Exhibition in Birmingham where Max Sugarman from the Intelligent Transport Systems (UK) connects with industry experts Vivi Michalaki of National Highways, Geoff Collins of Acusensus and Rodney Moffat of Amey. Together, they explore the pivotal role technology plays in enhancing road safety for everyone. Tune in to discover how these innovators are shaping the future of safer roads through cutting-edge solutions.

Pause to Remember - Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the autumn 2023 series of the Project Edward podcast. My name is James Luckhurst and every week for the next couple of months I'm going to be hearing from all sorts of people relating to their role in the Safe System. Today we're starting in the middle of the countryside at Hartshill Hays country park in Warwickshire. In a moment, I'm going to be heading to the new memorial to road traffic victims, which was unveiled by Sharron Huddleston earlier in the summer. But before meeting Sharron, let's familiarise ourselves with a few people whose efforts and energy have ensured that this memorial could come into existence. It's a wet day, but hopefully no one will be put off by the rain.