Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart had made key changes to ready for new vehicle technologies and accelerate its mission to bring road deaths down to zero.

Antony Kildare, CEO at IAM Roadsmart

More than 1,500 people in the UK lost their lives to road incidents in 2021 – and with new automotive advancements, such as autonomous technology and e-scooters, which are currently unregulated on most UK roads, IAM says urgent change is needed to drastically bring the number of incidents down.

Latest updates at the charity include new partnerships, key organisational updates and a refocus on working with the community, helping to prepare for advances in vehicle technology and drive change in road safety regulation.

Antony Kildare, CEO, outlined: “We want to work with the Government to build a future-fit and safer road network that actively reduces harm, urging them to act now to create safe and much-needed regulation around new mobility developments, such as electric vehicles, autonomous technologies, and decarbonisation strategies.

“New partnerships will help us adapt how our charity operates in a changing road safety landscape to be equipped for the future. We must adapt to meet changes in technology and infrastructure – keeping road safety our number one priority.”

IAM RoadSmart will continue working with the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) to create one National Observer qualification standard, while working with key academic partners to research new automotive technologies and the impact on driver behaviours and teaming up with local communities to accelerate road safety.

The charity has already been engaging with members of its 174 groups around the UK at its Autumn Forums to share its plans.

It’s also welcoming two new trustees to the charity. Firstly, Victoria Milford will bring her 14 years of operations experience in HR and finance specialising in the retail, hospitality and service sectors to the board of trustees. She will be joined by Tom Kelman; a chartered accountant with over 35 years’ experience, firstly at KPMG, and for the last 17 years in the not-for-profit sector, including three membership organisations.

Current trustee Dr Brad Poulson will stand down after supporting with strategy development and progressing IT initiatives, both helping to position IAM RoadSmart for the future. Also standing down are John Jenkins, who supported strategic development and local interests; Tony Cearns, who chaired the Finance and Audit Committee; and Samantha Kane, chair of the Renumeration Committee. The charity said all three had made a difference through volunteering their time to help position IAM RoadSmart for the future.

Antony Kildare added: “I am excited to get our charity ready for the fight for safer and more enjoyable driving and riding in 2023 and beyond.”