Calls are being made for a road deaths investigation unit to be created to restore Britain’s lost reputation for having the safest roads in Europe.
A study by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety recommends that the unit should be established by the Health & Safety Executive and should initially investigate the 1,000 deaths a year among people who are driving or riding in the course of their work
Road travel is the only mode of transport for which there is no specialist national team of crash investigators with accidents being left to police to investigate - and they are primarily concerned with identifying the culprit rather than drawing lessons for improving road safety.
The unit could recommend prosecution of companies that failed to ensure the safety of employees, such as by encouraging them to drive when tired.
The unit could also make broader recommendations about vehicle safety and traffic law enforcement.