Report suggests public support for national target

New research from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) and More in Common finds strong public backing for a bold national road safety target – and a willingness to make real changes to achieve it. The findings highlight that safety is a top public concern, ranking ahead of speed or convenience, and second only to cost as a factor in people’s daily journeys.

The public supports a broad ‘safe system’ approach to road danger, including better crossings, safer school streets, and reduced speed limits. A clear majority want the government to act: 56% support a ‘Vision Zero’ target to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads by 2040, with just 13% opposed. This is true across supporters of all political parties, including Conservatives and Reform.

Support is even higher in London – one of the first cities in Britain to introduce a reduction strategy, and where TfL has introduced an extensive network of 20mph roads. The public is ready to back meaningful policy changes – and even make trade-offs – to make roads safer. Some 87% of daily drivers say they would accept some form of delay to their typical journeys to make roads safer, challenging the assumption that safety measures will be unpopular with motorists.