Caitlin Taylor, RoSPA’s Road Safety Manager, summarises the Road Safety Scotland Annual Seminar and why your company should join ScORSA for free.
  

We recently had the privilege of attending the Road Safety Scotland Annual Seminar, an inspiring event that brought together leading experts committed to making Scotland’s roads safer for everyone. It was an incredible opportunity to engage with dedicated professionals, gain valuable insights, and see firsthand the commitment to improving road safety across Scotland. The seminar brought together some of the most influential voices in road safety, and the discussions were both thought-provoking and inspiring.

One of the highlights was the keynote address by Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop, who reaffirmed the government’s dedication to road safety improvements and the collective effort required to achieve lasting change. Additionally, speakers like Dan Campsall, Chairman of Agilysys, Hilary Sloan, Head of Road Policing at Police Scotland, and Stephen Reid, Analyst, Police Scotland, provided powerful insights into the multifaceted approach needed to reduce road incidents and fatalities.

Dan Campsall introduced the Safe System Cultural Maturity Playbook, which emphasises the importance of embedding a strong road safety culture within organisations. This aligns closely with our own mission at RoSPA and through our ScORSA Project (Scottish Occupational Road Safety Alliance), which encourages businesses to take proactive steps in managing occupational road risk. Hilary Sloan, as Head of Road Policing, provided a crucial perspective on enforcement strategies, while Stephen Reid’s in-depth analysis of road fatalities – specifically regarding motorcycle collisions in this instance – highlighted the urgent need for targeted preventative measures.

Another key takeaway from the seminar was the level of detail and research that goes into making road safety campaigns genuinely effective. Raising awareness is only one part of the puzzle; true impact comes from understanding target audiences, analysing their behaviours and attitudes, and crafting evidence-based messages that drive meaningful change. The strategy behind these campaigns by Road Safety Scotland is meticulous, ensuring that every initiative is not just informative but transformative.

At RoSPA, we are deeply committed to making Scotland’s roads safer for everyone. That’s why we actively support Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030 by helping businesses manage occupational road risk through our ScORSA project.

Funded by Transport Scotland, ScORSA is a major contribution to building a safer road network. By providing free resources, guidance, and support, we help businesses and employers take practical steps to reduce road risk for their workforce, ultimately protecting lives and supporting Scotland’s goal of Vision Zero (eliminating road deaths and serious injuries by 2050).

Why businesses should get involved with ScORSA

ScORSA provides businesses across Scotland with the free tools, knowledge, and support needed to effectively manage occupational road risk. If your employees drive as part of their job, whether in company vehicles or their own, it’s vital to ensure that road safety is a core part of your workplace health and safety strategy.

Joining ScORSA is an easy and proactive way for businesses to demonstrate their commitment to road safety. We offer practical resources, expert guidance, and a network of like-minded organisations striving for safer roads. Managing occupational road risk not only protects employees and other road users, but also enhances business reputation, reduces costs, and contributes to broader road safety initiatives in Scotland.

Why occupational road risk matters to road safety in Scotland

As part of our ongoing efforts to raise awareness and drive change, our Research Manager, Dr. James Broun, recently conducted an in-depth analysis of the data behind the Police Scotland and Transport Scotland In-Depth Road Traffic Fatalities Research (2015–2020). His findings shed light on the alarming and often overlooked issue of work-related fatalities on Scotland’s roads. The statistics are both a stark reminder of the risks involved in road travel and a call to action for businesses to prioritise road safety.

Dr. James Broun’s research revealed that in 2023, fatalities while travelling for work accounted for 15% of all fatalities, while serious injuries made up 12% and slight injuries accounted for 16%. For commuting, fatalities represented 12% of the total, with serious injuries at 10% and slight injuries at 12%.

The research also highlighted a positive trend, with fatalities from work-related travel decreasing by 38% over the past decade, and fatalities from commuting dropping by 31%. This shows that road safety efforts are having an impact, though continued progress is necessary to meet Scotland’s Vision Zero goal.

Join us in making Scotland’s roads safer

Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030 is an ambitious and necessary commitment. To achieve it, we need businesses to take action. Managing occupational road risk is a straightforward but powerful way to help reduce collisions, save lives, and protect communities.

Through ScORSA, we’re making it easier than ever for businesses to contribute to road safety – at no cost. By signing up, your organisation becomes part of the movement working towards Scotland’s Vision Zero.

Join ScORSA today – free of charge – at www.scorsa.org.uk and be part of the solution.

This article was written by Caitlin Taylor, Road Safety Manager, RoSPA.
 
 

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