WATCH: Why do we tolerate road deaths? - Professor Gemma Briggs

The first Open Psychology Research Public Lecture of 2026 was delivered by Professor Gemma Briggs on 11^th February, with the title “Why do we tolerate road deaths? Implications for policy and practice.”

Injuries and deaths caused by road collisions and incidents have remained stable in the UK for over 30 years, with 5 people being killed and over 80 seriously injured every day. Despite these casualties, it seems that there is general public acceptance of the inevitability of death and injury on the roads. This acceptance of increased risk is paired with high levels of offending on the road including speeding, using a mobile phone and driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs.  When policy measures are put in place aimed at reducing risk and casualties, they are often greeted with public outcry due to the perceived inconvenience they cause drivers. The talk explored the psychology behind the minimization of road risk, both at the level of the individual driver and wider society, providing evidence from my research on mobile phone use by drivers.

Watch the recording via YouTube