Collision
investigation
Serious injury collisions must be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.
Every day, around 10 people are reported seriously injured on London’s roads – but fewer than 5% of these collisions are investigated by a specialist officer.
The London investigation gap
Victims are failed by a system that does not take serious injury investigation seriously.
10
people a day
are reported seriously injured on London’s roads
1 in 2
people
were hit while walking or cycling
<5%
of collisions
are investigated by a specialist police officer
3%
of serious injured
see a driver convicted of a serious driving offence
Why investigation matters
A thorough investigation is the first step towards justice.
01
Prevent future harm
Understanding the circumstances and causes of collisions allows effective countermeasures to be introduced.
02
Hold offenders to account
Evidence enables driving offences to be detected, sanctioned and deterred.
03
Ensure civil compensation
Victims need fair and timely compensation, clear communication and confidence that their case matters.
What is going wrong
Serious injuries.
Inconsistent responses.
- Fragmented responsibilities across different police units
- Too little training and priority given to evidence collection
- Charging decisions based on incomplete information
- Limited communication with victims
- Little transparency about outcomes or decisions to take no further action
- Accessing civil justice hindered
- A disproportionate impact on people walking and cycling
What needs to change
Three priorities for fairer, safer roads
Collision investigation is not simply an administrative process. Done properly, it delivers justice, supports victims and prevents future deaths and injuries.
01
Reduce road danger
Investigations must uncover how and why collisions happen – so lessons are learned and future harm is prevented.
- Better evidence collected at the scene by trained officers
- Statements taken promptly from victims and witnesses
- Fair and consistent charging decisions
02
Increase accountability
Decisions must be transparent, properly scrutinised and capable of commanding public confidence.
- Review decisions to take no further action
- Explain investigation procedures and outcomes
- Publish information that supports public scrutiny
03
Deliver civil justice
People who have been seriously injured should be kept informed and enabled to recover.
- Communicate properly with victims and solicitors
- Facilitate fair and timely compensation
- Work with solicitors and victims to improve investigations
What Action Vision Zero is doing
Turning evidence into action
We bring together victims, campaigners, solicitors and policing specialists to expose systemic failings and make the case for change.
- AchievedSecured the country’s first London Assembly inquiry into serious injury collision investigation.
Read the inquiry report ↗ - In progressPressing for the inquiry’s recommendations to be implemented by the Met and its partners.
See the response and follow-up ↗ - In progressCoordinating a specialist working group and documenting key issues through blogs and briefings.
Read the background briefing ↗ - NextSurveying seriously injured victims and sharing London’s lessons with campaigners nationwide.
See how you can help ↓
What you can do
Help us improve collision investigation
Share your experience, support our campaign and help ensure that serious injury on our roads is treated seriously.
Evidence and briefings
Read the case for change
Our submissions, research and briefings document the gaps in collision investigation and set out practical reforms.
Evidence submission · PDF
December 2023
Response to the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee inquiry
Committee session · Video
22 November 2023
Evidence to the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee
Background briefing
18 December 2023
Serious injury collision investigation in London
APPG briefing · PDF
May 2023
