The UK Government’s Road Safety Strategy is under fresh criticism after Brake told MPs that it fails to properly account for the people affected after serious road collisions.

Speaking at the Transport Select Committee’s first evidence session on the strategy (3 June 2026), Brake CEO Ross Moorlock warned that post-crash support is being overlooked, despite being a huge part of the wider “safe system” approach.

While the strategy places strong emphasis on prevention, Brake argues that it does not go far enough in recognising the ongoing impact on those who are bereaved or seriously injured.

Ross Moorlock told MPs:

“From Brake's perspective, running the National Road Victim Service, supporting families bereaved and seriously injured in road crashes, the post-crash component of the safe system is not covered off, and it's largely ignored within the strategy. And that's an area where we would like to see the strategy go much further.

“Quite rightly, a lot of this discussion will talk about and focus on prevention. But let's not forget that as we sit here today, people are dying on our roads, people are suffering serious, life-changing injury on our roads, and it's really important that we don't let those families down. The system is letting those families down.

“It’s important that we have the right support in place for those families, and we don't neglect the rights and needs of those families.”

What happens after a crash?

The evidence session brought together road safety experts and policy organisations to examine how the strategy could be implemented more effectively.

A large part of the discussion was focused on young driver safety, with witnesses highlighting the need for stronger learning requirements and more structured preparation before new drivers are allowed on the road.

Brake’s latest research suggests that quite a significant proportion of the public has either experienced or been indirectly affected by crashes involving young drivers, reinforcing the fact that there is a much wider impact of road risk beyond the drivers themselves.

There was agreement that improving learning conditions, extending supervised experience, and strengthening licensing standards could play a key role in reducing harm.

Investigation and accountability under review

Another key theme was the proposed Road Safety Investigation Branch, which was included in the strategy but is still lacking detail around structure, funding and powers.

Several witnesses raised concerns that without clearer direction, progress could stall, limiting the opportunity to learn systematically from collisions and improve future safety outcomes.

Turning strategy into action

While the Road Safety Strategy sets out a broad vision, the evidence session highlighted a repeated concern across the sector, which is delivery.

As Ross Moorlock summarised, “What’s on paper is a solid foundation. It’s a good starting point, but that now needs to translate into action and urgency.”

The Transport Select Committee, chaired by Ruth Cadbury MP, will continue its series of hearings as it examines how the strategy can move from policy intent to real-world impact across the UK’s roads.

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