National Highways has been under growing pressure to use alternatives to the word ‘accident’, and in recent news, they have confirmed the term will be discontinued in all communications. Campaigners are marking this as a ‘significant step’ in recognition that collisions are preventable incidents, for the most part caused by human actions. It’s acknowledged such changes to update signage on the road network will require some time, with a timeline for the process still to be confirmed.
In April 2024, National Highways announced they were “in a testing phase for alternative terminology” to the word ‘accident’. This move was welcomed by IAM RoadSmart, along with other road safety bodies.
Following consultation with customers, the strategic roads body confirmed it is now replacing ‘accident’ with ‘collision’, as the National Highways Spokesperson explained: “We are committed to changing our terminology in line with the government, policy and road safety and transport organisations — while also taking in road users views and prioritising safety.
“We will continue to explore the most cost-effective options for changing this language on our electronic roadside signs, which we hope to do once all regions use the same national system for setting signs and signals.
“We are already changing the language we use in all the documentation and literature produced across our company, while also encouraging our supply chain and other partners to align with us.”
Nicholas Lyes, Director of Policy and Standards, welcomes the move and said: ”Most collisions are avoidable and language matters. This is a positive step by National Highways which, through their electronic variable message signs, will filter through to the everyday diction of road users and should have a positive impact on changing public perception toward safety on our road network.”
IAM RoadSmart is the UK’s leading independent road safety charity, providing driver training and risk management tools for business fleets. To learn more about how we can help you enhance your fleet, contact us.
