Members

• George Henry (GH) (Chair) Transport Scotland Road Policy and Safety
• Alastair Ross (AR) Association of British Insurers
• Alan Martin (AM) Transport Scotland Sustainable & Active Travel
• Michelle Van der stighelen (MV) Transport Scotland Safety Camera Programme
• Martin McNicol (MMcN) Transport Scotland Safety Camera Programme
• Gaia Galoppo (GG) Transport Scotland Safety Camera Programme
• Steven Feeney (SF) Transport Scotland Road Safety Policy
• Caitlin Taylor (CT) RoSPA
• Caroline Brearley (CB) Scottish Ambulance Service
• Andrew Barclay (AB) Police Scotland
• Catherine Heeney (CH) Transport Scotland Research
• Stephen Reid (SR) Police Scotland
• Keith Irving (KI) Cycling Scotland
• Stewart Lochrie (SL) Approved Driving Instructors National Joint Council
• Georgina Charlton (GC) British Horse Society
• Jami Blythe (JB) Brake
• Michael McDonnell (MMcD) Transport Scotland Road Safety Scotland
• Kieren Green (KG) Transport Scotland Road Safety Policy
• Robert Weetman (RW) Living Streets Scotland
• Ryan Gilbert (RG) Transport Scotland Comms
• James McCrum (JMcC) Transport Scotland Statistics
• Anthony Mallon (AM) Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
• Lynne Mason (LM) Road Haulage Association
• Stewart Mackie (SM) IAM RoadSmart
• Michelle Little (ML) Transport Scotland Road Policy
• Dan Campsall (DC) Agilysis

Secretariat

• Hannah Green (HG) Transport Scotland Road Safety Policy

Apologies

• Amanda Allan (AA) COPFS
• Nina Day (ND) Health and Safety Executive
• Fay McNicol (FM) Scottish Ambulance Service
• Timothy Hooper (TH) Scottish Trauma Network
• Fred O’Hara (FO’H) Transport Scotland Road Policy
• Martin Esposito (ME) Scottish Ambulance Service
• Stuart Wilson (SW) Transport Scotland Safety and Development
• Kirstin Thomson (KT) Scottish Trauma Network
• Stephen Bridgman (SB) Public Health Scotland
• Angela McGibbon (AM) SCOTS

Welcome and Introductions

The Chair welcomed members to the meeting and proceeded with round table introduction.

Previous Minutes and Actions

The minutes of the previous meeting on 19 February 2026 were agreed as an accurate record of discussion and have been published on the Transport Scotland website. Most actions from the previous meeting were complete, however the outstanding asks are;

Road Safety Policy to share the evaluation of the Scottish Borders Council speed reduction trial. 

Owner: Secretariat

Status: Ongoing

Update: This action remains ongoing as the evaluation has not yet been published.

TS statistics to compare road traffic fatality numbers with car kilometres to understand if there is a correlation between the two, and if increased car kilometres has a detrimental impact on casualty numbers.

Owner: TS Statistics

Status: Closed

Update: This analysis will be included in the stats presentation.

STN to share the results of the audit and questionnaire with OPG members.

Owner: Scottish Trauma Network

Status: Ongoing

Update: Findings will be shared early October.

Update from Governance Groups

Strategic Partnership Board / Local Partnership Forums / Key Priority Groups

The Strategic Partnership Board last met on 25 March 2026, chaired by former Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop.

Key updates included progress on implementing the National Speed Management Review, and publication of the UK Government’s Road Safety Strategy. The Board received updates on the Mid-Term Review and HMICS recommendations, and noted ongoing delivery of Road Safety Improvement Fund projects, 20mph measures, safety camera initiatives, and trunk road casualty reduction schemes.

The Strategic Partnership Board is due to meet again on 26 August 2026 and will be chaired by the new Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, Stephen Flynn.

The Local Partnership Forums (North, East and West) met throughout June, with discussions focusing on Road Safety Improvement Fund schemes and the implementation of 20mph speed limits across local authorities.

The Key Priority Groups (Motorcycle, Vulnerable Road Users, Age, and Driver Behaviour & Enforcement) last met throughout June and July. Each group continues to progress recommendations arising from the In‑Depth Road Traffic Fatalities Reports.

Mid-term Review

Dan Campsall delivered a presentation on the Mid-term Review highlighting the following;

• The review aligns with World Health Organization (WHO) international best practice.
• Findings from stakeholder interviews were highlighted.
• Evidence reviews were undertaken using a range of sources.
• The Framework was compared with approaches in Sweden, Finland, Norway and the Netherlands.
• Quantitative analysis undertaken by TOI (Transportøkonomisk institutt / Institute of Transport Economics, Norway) and the methodology used were presented.
• Findings will be presented with the Road Safety Strategic Partnership Board ahead of the full report being finalised and shared with members.
• The recommendations arising from the review will subsequently be progressed, with discussions required to determine how these will be taken forward.

Stewart Lochrie highlighted that the UK Government Road Safety Strategy does not mention driving instructors. He expressed a desire for driving instructors to be considered within the mid-term review and any resulting recommendations.

Action: Dan Campsall to meet with Stewart Lochrie to discuss driving instructors and learner drivers.

Action: Agilysis to share a further breakdown of interview participants with members.

Knowledge, Data and Training

2025 – Key Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2025

James McCrum delivered a presentation on the 2025 – Key Reported Road Casualty Statistics.

Overall key findings:

• The number killed on Scotland’s roads decreased from 160 2024 to 134 in 2025.
• Serious casualties reduced by 4%
• Slight casualties reduced by 3%
• Total casualties reduced by 3% (5,535)

Mode specific findings:

• Car fatalities reduced from 73 to 59.
• Pedestrian fatalities reduced (from 42 to 27)
• Cyclist fatalities increased (from 3 to 7)
• Motorcyclist fatalities remain unchanged (34)

Interim Targets:

• 50% reduction in people killed – Not on Target
• 50% reduction in people seriously injured – Not on Target
• 60% reduction in children killed – On Target
• 60% reduction in children seriously injured – Not on Target

Further information can be found via the link: Key Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2025 | Transport Scotland

The Group’s discussion raised the following points:

• Concerns around the increase use of e-bikes, e-scooters and illegal use of electric motorbikes being used for anti-social behaviour and organised crime.
• Discussions are being held with DfT on e-bikes, e-scooters and illegal use of electric motorbikes and the progress they are making in this area.
• Scottish Trauma Network are undertaking work on the injuries stemming from e-scooter and e-bike use and will look to share findings at a future meeting.

Action: BHS to share horse data with James going forward.

Action: James McCrum to share further analysis of stats relating to e-bike and e-scooters.

Action: Scottish Trauma Network to share findings from report on injuries stemming from use of e-bikes/scooters.

Police Management Information Data

Police Scotland provided an update on the latest management information data and noted that the analytical data will continue to be monitored.

Discussions focused on:

• The proportion of medical fatalities occurring on the Scottish road network.
• Work being progressed by Transport Scotland and Police Scotland to better understand the health factors contributing to medical fatalities.
• Graduated Driver Licensing and young novice drivers.

Action: James McCrum to undertake a review of cyclist fatalities against pedestrian fatalities over a longer period of several years and share with members.

Action: Motorcycle Action Group to join OPG or a representative from the Motorcycle Focus Group.

Action: Police Scotland to provide an update at future OPG meetings on offences being regularly recorded.

Action: Police Scotland to provide an update on medical fatalities recorded since January 2026 and the factors contributing to those fatalities.

Delivery, Monitoring and Communications

2026 – 2027 Deliverables

Road Safety Policy

Outcomes of the National Speed Management Review – work remains ongoing with the SSI being laid at the end of September.

Implementation of 20mph speed limits – work progressing with the remaining local authorities.

Scottish Safety Camera Programme

The Distracted Driver and Seatbelt Survey is providing a wealth of information, including insights into repeat offending, which are being considered by the team.

An operational review is being undertaken in partnership with Police Scotland.

The Transformation Programme will be presented at the next SPB meeting. This will cover a number of aspects of the Safety Camera Programme, including intelligence-led site selection criteria and the expansion of enforcement capabilities.

Active Travel

Resource funding for 2026/27 has been reduced. Despite this, funding has been secured to support Bikeability and all other existing programmes.

Subject to final approval, further discussions will take place with relevant stakeholders regarding delivery and next steps.

The Cycling Framework is currently being refreshed, with stakeholder engagement and discussions underway.

Road Safety Scotland

Road Safety Scotland continues to work closely with marketing colleagues on the National Conversation, with Vision Zero planned to be promoted nationally from February 2027.

Learning resources for children and young people aged 3 to 18 are now available. However, there remains an ongoing challenge in ensuring that the resources are being utilised effectively.

Campaigns update: The Fitness to Drive Roadshow is currently touring the country.

Police Scotland

Significant work has been undertaken in response to the HMICS recommendations. Twelve recommendations have been completed, with one outstanding recommendation relating to JourneyCam.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Continued to work with Road Safety Scotland (RSS) on the Fitness to Drive campaign.

Focused on delivering training events for younger drivers.

Produced a State of the Nation Report for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Attended various meetings and workshops with stakeholders to support targeted interventions.

RoSPA

The Preventing Future Fatalities Project research paper has now been published.

The ScORSA project continues to progress, with all milestones achieved to date, including the publication of the ScORSA Best Practice Guide to Managing Occupational Road Risk

Action: Share a link to the Preventing Future Fatalities paper and evaluation with members.

Action: Caitlin to meet with George and Steven to discuss the recommendations arising from the Preventing Future Fatalities paper. RoSPA- Preventing Future Fatalities by Optimising Road Crash Data

British Horse Society

The Henry the Horse project continues to progress. The resources have been updated and are awaiting sign-off.

The Dead Slow campaign continues to be promoted at shows throughout the year and is supported by a number of partners.

The Lose the Blinkers campaign has been delivered four action days, with associated social media activity achieving good traction.

Work is underway to collect case studies for the series of temporary posters, with a particular focus on the Shetland Islands.

Cycling Scotland

There has been a focus on illegal use of electric motorbikes, including research and publication activity to improve understanding of the issue.

Funding from the Road Safety Framework Fund (RSFF) has supported research into light goods vehicles and other commercial and the risks they pose to cyclists and pedestrians.

Bikeability delivery continues to increase, with 70% of primary schools now offering the programme.

IAM RoadSmart

The Dust Off Your Leathers event was successfully delivered. Formal evaluation of the event is currently awaited.

The Rider Refinement programme so far has been successful, achieving high levels of attendance.

Planning and development work for next year's events will commence shortly.

Brake

Recently experienced some challenges during the first quarter of the deliverable to support for bereaved and injured road victims in Scotland; however, work is now progressing as planned.

In addition to the planned deliverable, Brake will establish a lived experience consultation group.

Work is underway to mobilise peer support groups.

Partner Updates

Scottish Ambulance Service

Work is ongoing to review the impact of safety systems fitted to the new fleet on driver behaviour.

Consideration is also being given to the location of data terminals within vehicles and the impact these may have on drivers.

Exploratory work is in the early stages to assess how telematics data can be used to inform and improve driver behaviour.

ABI

In 2025, the average motor insurance claim cost in Scotland was £780 higher than the UK average.

Claims relating to bodily injury have doubled since 2021.

The average motor insurance premium in Scotland is £532, although this remains lower than the average premiums in England and Northern Ireland.

Living Streets Scotland

Action: Members with an interest in how changes to urban infrastructure can influence driver behaviour are invited to contact Robert Weetman to discuss potential involvement and collaboration with Living Streets.

Road Policy

Progress continues to be made on Road Traffic Diversionary Courses, with discussions ongoing with the Home Office.

Risk Register

Risk Register has been reviewed by all members.

Action: Road Safety Policy to review and revise the risk register before circulating it to members for comment.

Road Safety Funding

Road Safety Improvement Fund

£14.5 million has been allocated to local authorities through the Road Safety Improvement Fund in the 2026/27 budget.

The fund supports the delivery of engineering measures aimed at reducing road-related risk and casualties on the local road network. Local authorities are progressing a wide range of road safety schemes, all of which must be completed by the end of the financial year.

The Road Safety Policy team is currently engaging with each local authority to finalise project proposals before schemes move into the delivery phase.

Road Safety Framework Fund 2026/27

The Road Safety Framework Fund 2026/27 application window closed on 4 May 2026. A total of 16 applications were received.

Chair thanked all members for reviewing the applications and providing funding recommendations. The Strategic Partnership Board has considered the applications and provided its recommendations, and decision letters have now been issued to all applicants.

The Road Safety Policy Team is now working with successful applicants to agree key milestones ahead of issuing formal grant offer letters.

Action: Road Safety Policy to review the Road Safety Framework Fund (RSFF) criteria, guidance and communications to ensure that eligibility requirements, expectations regarding project sustainability, and the likelihood of success for volunteer-led organisations are clearly articulated and communicated to prospective applicants.

Comms Handling Plan

Activity has commenced to map communications and engagement opportunities with the new Cabinet Secretary for the remainder of the year.

Upcoming activity and announcements:

• Publication of the findings from the Distracted Driver and Seatbelt Trial, together with information on next steps.
• Summer tour engagements involving the Cabinet Secretary, including visits linked to Road Safety Improvement Fund projects.
• Communications activity relating to the Road Safety Framework Fund (RSFF) and the allocation of funding.

Action: Members to contact Ryan with details of any upcoming communications activity or opportunities relevant to road safety.

AOB & Next Meeting

Members were advised that a one-off meeting will be arranged for OPG members to discuss the Mid-term Review.

The Chair reported that a meeting with SCOTS Executive members will take place in due course.

It was noted that there may be an opportunity for a road safety debate to take place in November.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 17 November 2026.