Better Driving: "Respect on the Road"

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 The Department for Transport (DfT) asked the Motorists' Forum to consider how the Prime Minister's 'Respect' initiative might be applied to road user behaviour, as a contribution to their review of road safety. The Forum was asked in particular:

• to consider the factors that cause people to behave disrespectfully on the roads;
• to consider the factors that cause people to behave in a respectful way when they are on the road and how such behaviour can be encouraged;
• to consider the factors that are most influential in getting people to change their behaviour eg family, friends, the media (local and national newspapers, radio, TV and news bulletins, prime-time soaps and films), legislation, enforcement; and
• to make recommendations.

1.2 The Forum set up a Working Group under the Chairmanship of David Holmes to advise on this matter. The Working Group consisted of the following members:

David Holmes - Chairman
Kevin Clinton - RoSPA
Professor Mark Conner - University of Leeds
Peter Davis - SMMT
Kevin Delaney / Sheila Rainger - RAC Foundation
Professor Andrew Evans - Imperial College London
Robert Gifford - PACTS
Andrew Howard - AA Motoring Trust
Chief Supt. Kevin O'Leary - ACPO
Rosemary Welch - LARSOA

Graham Pendlebury - DfT adviser
Nikki Yorke - DfT adviser

Chris Watts - CfIT Secretary
David Prescott - Motorists' Forum Secretary
Joe Carey - Motorists' Forum Secretariat

1.3 The study follows the report made by the group in August 2005 on road safety and the management of speed. Many of the members were on the earlier group. Additional members for the present study are Kevin Clinton, Professor Mark Conner and Rosemary Welch. Chief Supt. O'Leary was chosen as the ACPO representative for this particular study. Nikki Yorke was nominated by the DfT as our adviser.

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