As of 30 April, LARSOA has re-launched itself as Road Safety GB in an effort to reach out to every individual across the UK and broaden its sphere of influence.
Alan Kennedy (pictured), the new Road Safety GB chairman, says the organisation believes that if the number of road deaths and injuries is to fall significantly, everyone has to play their part.
He said: “At some time in our lives, virtually all of us will be affected by the fall-out from a road crash.
“Even if we are not involved ourselves, we will know people – friends, family or work colleagues – who are injured or die as a result of a crash. Making our roads safer is a challenge for all of us – not just road safety professionals. We are all in this together.
“While the name LARSOA has served us reasonably well, it’s clumsy and hard to pronounce and remember. It’s well known within road safety circles, but almost unknown outside the profession.
“Our re-brand is much more than simply a change of name. It signifies our intention to go out and engage with everyone.”
Road Safety GB will campaign on four key issues:
• Driver behaviour, particularly young motorists
• Impairment through drink and drug driving
• Motorcyclists
• Vulnerable road-users, such as cyclists, pedestrians and the elderly
Tim Philpot, Road Safety GB vice chairman, added: “There are key groups of road-users we want to target, but we also need to look at the behaviour of everyone to ensure we can build a safety culture among all road-users.
“We believe that if every road-user moderated their behaviour in some positive way, and stayed focussed on their safety on the road, there would be fewer accidents each year and fewer deaths.”
Mr Kennedy concluded: “We are determined that Road Safety GB will become the voice of road safety, and the organisation that everyone turns to for advice and assistance about this crucial issue.”
Click here to read the full Road Safety GB news release.
Click here to see a video clip announcing the launch of Road Safety GB.
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