Road Safety Strategic Partnership Board to 2030 - meeting minutes - 26 August 2026
Members
- Stephen Flynn (Chair) – Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport
- George Henry – Transport Scotland (TS)
- Alan Waddell – Police Scotland
- Scott McCarren – Police Scotland
- Ian McMeekin – Scottish Fire & Rescue
- Robert Nicol – Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)
- Colin Park – The Scottish Collaboration of Transportation Specialists (SCOTS)
- Oliver Harding – National Health Service
- Margaret Douglas – Public Health Scotland
In Attendance
- Meg Robertson – COSLA
- Dan Campsall – Agilysis
- Steven Feeney – TS
- Stuart Wilson – TS
- Michelle Van der stighelen – TS
- Ryan Gilbert – TS
- James McCrum – TS
Apologies
- Cllr Gail MacGregor – COSLA
- Hugh Gillies – TS
Secretariat
- Hannah Wood – TS
Welcome, Introductions, Previous Minutes & Actions
Vision and Priorities for Road Safety
The Chair welcomed members to the meeting and noted apologies. Members reaffirmed their commitment to delivering the Road Safety Framework to 2030 and achieving Scotland's ambition of having the world's safest roads. The importance of maintaining a Safe System approach and strong partnership working across all organisations was emphasised.
Previous Minutes & Actions
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved with outstanding actions reviewed under the relevant agenda items during the meeting.
Knowledge, Data & Analysis
Key Reported Road Casualties 2025
Members received a presentation on the provisional road casualty statistics for Scotland which took place in 2025. It was noted that there had been 134 fatalities in 2025, representing a reduction of 16% compared with 2024. It was also noted that there had been a reduction in both serious and slight injury casualty types in 2025 compared to 2024. The Board noted that the figures represented the lowest number of fatalities and total casualties recorded in a non-pandemic year.
Discussion focused on casualty trends among different road user groups. The Board noted that motorcycle users continued to experience the highest level of risk relative to distance travelled, and that young drivers, older road users, pedestrians and cyclists remained priority groups within casualty reduction efforts.
Members noted the continued significance of behavioural factors in fatal collisions. Driver behaviour and experience, inappropriate speed, distraction and impairment were identified as recurring contributory factors. It was also noted that non-wearing of a seatbelt remained a feature in a notable proportion of fatalities, especially during overnight hours. The Board noted the ongoing trial of camera technology capable of detecting drivers not wearing a seatbelt and those driving whilst using a handheld device.
2026 Police Management Information Data
Police Scotland provided an update on the latest management information data relating to road casualties which occurred in 2026. The Board noted the ongoing monitoring of casualty trends and work underway to target emerging risks.
Road Safety Framework to 2030
Mid-Term Review
An update was provided on the Mid-Term Review of the Road Safety Framework to 2030. The Board noted that the review had examined road safety progress to date, considered international best practice and compared Scotland's road safety performance against leading nations.
Members noted emerging findings flowing from the review and as part of that requested clarification on the methodology used as part of the review to assess progress towards 2030 casualty reduction targets.
The Board welcomed the work undertaken and noted that the recommendations would help to inform road safety priorities to 2030. It was agreed that the report would be circulated to Board members for consideration once the work had concluded.
Action: Clarify the methodology used in the Mid Term Review to assess progress towards the 2030 casualty reduction targets.
Owner: Transport Scotland
Action: Circulate Mid Term Review final report to Board members for consideration and comment.
Owner: Transport Scotland
Delivery of the 2030 Targets - Key Risks, Opportunities & Partner Commitments
SCOTS
SCOTS highlighted its continued support for local authorities in delivering the Safe System approach, road safety improvements, advancing speed management measures and facilitating the sharing of best practice. The Board noted that workforce capacity constraints remained a significant challenge to local delivery and requested that consideration be given to long-term funding settlements to provide greater certainty and support sustained delivery.
COSLA
COSLA reaffirmed local authority commitment to road safety and outlined ongoing work to support councils in implementing effective interventions and overcoming local delivery barriers.
Police Scotland
Police Scotland provided an update on road policing activity and enforcement, highlighting the importance of data-led interventions and behavioural change in reducing casualties.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS)
SFRS outlined its continued contribution through road safety education, community engagement and post-collision response activity, alongside work to align resources with emerging risks.
Public Health Scotland (PHS)
PHS highlighted road safety as a public health priority and emphasised the value of prevention, evidence-based interventions and collaboration across sectors to reduce harm.
Trunk Road Casualty Reduction
Transport Scotland reported progress on a collision blackspot analysis which had been undertaken as part of the Scottish Government’s 100 days commitment, implementation of 20 mph speed limits on trunk roads and continued investment in targeted casualty reduction measures and active travel infrastructure.
Safety Camera Programme
An update was provided on the Safety Camera Programme, including ongoing transformation work, development of new enforcement technologies and continued support for casualty reduction through targeted enforcement and driver education.
Road Safety Progress and Delivery
Update from Governance Groups
The Board noted that the Operational Partnership Group (OPG) was held on 16 August and considered the 2025 casualty statistics, the emerging findings of the Mid-Term Review and progress against HMICS recommendations.
The Board further noted that the three Local Partnership Forum’s continue to support local delivery and the sharing of good practice, with the next meetings scheduled for November.
It was agreed that a joint workshop involving Strategic Partnership Board and OPG members should be arranged to consider the Mid-Term Review recommendations and future priorities for delivery.
Action: Arrange a joint workshop with members of the Strategic Partnership Board and Operational Partnership Group to review the Mid-Term Review recommendations and consider implementation priorities.
Owner: George Henry / Steven Feeney
Outstanding Actions
An update on outstanding actions from previous meetings was given. Members noted ongoing work to improve the availability and presentation of casualty data at local level and progress in engaging with COSLA's Environment and Economy Board. An update was also provided on previous discussions relating to road safety education and the current provision of road safety officer support across local authorities.
Action: Re-establish the road safety education coordination group to improve coordination of road safety education activity and identify gaps in provision.
Owner: Road Safety Scotland
DfT Road Safety Strategy & Implications for Scotland
Members received an update on the development of the UK Government's Road Safety Strategy. It was noted that Transport Scotland continues to engage through UK-wide governance arrangements, including the UK Road Safety Board, to ensure Scotland's interests are represented. Discussion focused on areas of particular relevance to Scotland, including vehicle safety regulations, graduated driver licensing, micromobility and future legislative opportunities. Members agreed to continue monitoring developments and seeking to influence policy where appropriate.
Communications Handling Plan
The Board received an update on recent and planned communications activity supporting road safety priorities. Members noted communications associated with the publication of the 2025 provisional road casualty statistics, the driver distraction and seatbelt technology trial, motorcycle safety activity through Project PRIME and seasonal campaigns aimed at visitors driving on Scottish roads.
Members noted the importance of aligning communications with wider road safety policy and enforcement activity to maximise impact.
AOB & Next Meeting
Members discussed increasing demand on forensic testing capacity associated with drug-driving enforcement and noted the request for additional funding to maintain current levels of enforcement activity. It was agreed that Police Scotland prepare a paper for the Board’s consideration.
Action: Police Scotland to prepare a paper outlining current demand, funding requirements and options to maintain drug-driving enforcement and testing capacity.
Owner: CS Scott McCarren
Members also discussed whether any other party should be invited to join the Board. To inform any decision, it was agreed that the Terms of Reference be circulated for any comment. Once that exercise is undertaken then that would inform any changes to Board Membership.
Action: Transport Scotland to circulate the Board’s Terms of Reference to members comments and use the outcome of that to inform whether any other party(s) be invited to join the Board.
Owner: Transport Scotland
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 2nd December 2026.