Dr. Clare Mutzenich has been appointed as Vice Chair of the National Road Safety Committee (NRSC). Caitlin Taylor, RoSPA’s Road Safety Manager, England, introduces Clare and tells us more about her background in road safety and transport research.

The National Road Safety Committee (NRSC) serves as a pivotal advisory body to RoSPA, bringing together a diverse range of organisations committed to improving road safety. This voluntary association represents a broad spectrum of expertise, with its members selected to ensure a comprehensive focus on reducing road casualties and shaping evidence-based policies. Through its collaborative efforts, the NRSC provides expert advice, supports the development of national and international road safety strategies, and promotes the Safe System approach to road safety management. Its governance comprises of representatives from member organisations, co-opted individuals, and RoSPA leadership.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Clare Mutzenich as Vice Chair of the NRSC. Clare brings a wealth of expertise in road safety, behavioural and cognitive psychology, and transport research, making her an invaluable addition to the committee. With a deep commitment to evidence-based policy and innovation, she will play a key role in shaping strategies to improve road safety across the UK.

In the Q&A below, Clare introduces herself, shares her journey, and discusses her vision for the future of road safety.
 

What does your new role as Vice Chair of the National Road Safety Committee mean to you?

“I’m so proud to share that I’ve been appointed as Vice Chair within the National Road Safety Committee. This role feels deeply personal to me, as it builds on my professional expertise and first-hand experiences in road safety, behavioural and cognitive psychology, and transport research.”
 

How did you first become interested in road safety?

“Looking back, my journey into road safety began during my time at Chichester Police Station, where I transcribed coroner’s witness statements. Many of these were tragic cases involving young people crossing roads while distracted—at a time when mobile phones and music players were becoming more common. That early exposure to the devastating consequences of risky behaviours stuck with me. Later, during my 18 years as a sixth-form teacher, I developed an even deeper awareness of the risks young drivers face. Teaching sociology and psychology gave me insight into how behavioural change and societal influences shape risk-taking. I vividly remember celebrating with students as they passed their driving tests, only to watch them pile into cars together at the end of term—it was always a nerve-wracking moment. One year, four students from a class I taught were involved in a serious crash. It was sobering to think we could have lost them all in an instant. That moment reinforced the value of initiatives like Safe Drive Stay Alive, which I introduced to my students every year.”

How did your work transition into transport research?

“My transition into transport research felt like a natural progression. I pursued a PhD in cognitive psychology looking at the remote operation of highly automated vehicles at Royal Holloway, University of London, supported by a fully funded scholarship from SeNSS, with TRL as a sponsor. Automation presents an opportunity to act as a safeguard, supporting human drivers by detecting hazards, preventing risky manoeuvres, and intervening where necessary to reduce the likelihood of collisions. Following my PhD, I continued working with TRL on automated vehicle projects, particularly in safety and insurance, aligning with the Safe System pillars to ensure that these innovations are integrated responsibly into our transport ecosystem.”
 

What does your work at Lacuna Agency involve?

“Now, as Research Director at Lacuna Agency, I lead projects exploring how the public will interact with self-driving technologies. My focus is on ensuring that these systems are designed with real users in mind—whether that means helping people become safer users of the technology or shaping mobility services to be inclusive and accessible to all. This work sits at the intersection of innovation, behaviour, and inclusivity. A significant part of my recent research has centred on using  virtual reality (VR) simulations to explore how passengers, particularly those with protected characteristics, experience self-driving taxis in emergency scenarios. Many transport innovations risk being designed around ‘default’ users—typically those without additional accessibility needs—leaving certain groups overlooked in mobility planning. My work aims to challenge this by ensuring that unheard voices are represented in transport policy and design. Through immersive VR studies, I’ve examined how individuals with disabilities, children, neurodivergent people, and others who face barriers in traditional transport systems interact with automated vehicles during critical moments. By listening to these voices and incorporating their insights, we can develop future transport services that truly work for everyone.”
 

Can you tell me about your contributions to national road safety policy?

“Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to contribute to national safety policy. I’ve worked as a stakeholder on the Government’s Statement of Safety Principles for Self-Driving Vehicles, served on the advisory group for BSI’s emerging automation standards, and led steering groups for major government-funded projects into transport innovation. These experiences have deepened my understanding of the challenges we face and the opportunities to improve safety through thoughtful design and collaboration.”
 

What are the biggest challenges in road safety right now?

“There are several emerging challenges in road safety that we must address carefully. New mobility solutions, like connected and automated vehicles (CAVs), have the potential to prevent collisions, analyse near-misses, and improve safety overall—but only if they’re implemented with safety as the top priority. If not, these technologies risk introducing new dangers, especially for vulnerable road users. That’s why initiatives like our National Accident Prevention Strategy are critical. Without robust data and reporting frameworks, we risk failing to identify and respond to trends until it’s too late.”

What role does behavioural and cognitive science play in road safety?

“As someone with a background in behavioural and cognitive science and impact evaluation, I’m particularly interested in how road safety policies and interventions are measured. Understanding behavioural change is essential when introducing new regulations or technologies. It’s not enough to predict how people might respond in theory—we need to track how they actually behave in practice. By using impact frameworks to evaluate real-world effects, we can refine and improve interventions to maximise safety outcomes.”
 

What do you hope to achieve as Vice Chair?

“In my new role as Vice Chair, I see myself as a facilitator of collaboration, bringing together stakeholders from across sectors to promote a cohesive approach to road safety. I’m passionate about using technology to make roads safer while ensuring that we don’t introduce new risks for vulnerable road users. Ultimately, my goal is to advocate for changes that save lives and genuinely improve people’s everyday journeys.”

Caitlin Taylor is RoSPA’s Road Safety Manager for England.