The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2026.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the Charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)".
The Charity's objectives are:
To work with supranational, national, regional authorities and NGOs in the development of design standards affecting safety of road users.
The implementation of engineering and other measures to remedy accident black spots and improve safety on the world’s roads.
To increase public awareness of the issues affecting safety on the roads with the aim of changing attitudes through education, promotion and campaigning with other individuals and organisations with similar objectives.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by Charity Commission in deciding what activities the Charity should undertake for public benefit.
The Charity has continued its focus on major campaigns to introduce improved vehicle-type legislation and national standards around the world where, if successful, the reduction in fatalities would be in the tens of thousands.
Campaign 1: Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) on all powered two-wheelers (PTWs) in India and Thailand
To revise existing legislation in India to incorporate in manufacture ‘Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) on all powered two-wheelers (PTWs) of 100cc or more. In this country, because of the dominance of the 100CC & 125CC models, they constitute 80% of the PTW market. By revising existing legislation (126CC and above) to incorporate the feature on all bikes of 100CC and above, together with the even higher powered machines, India would achieve 90% ABS coverage. The feature reduces PTW accidents by a staggering third and is a deliverable which is not dependent upon human behaviours or enforcement.
ABS would make a dramatic impact in reducing PTW deaths in India, and with almost 75,000 people losing their lives in PTW accidents every year, 25,000 lives would be saved annually once the entire fleet is protected by the feature, but even in the first few years, the number of lives saved would be in the many thousands. In relation to preventing serious injuries, based on the 10:1 rule, the number of accidents which would no longer occur would be in the hundreds of thousands each year. Visits to India by SRF were made last year to meet with government officials and Indian road safety NGOs to campaign for the required revision to legislation.
SRF is partnering with the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), the Indian road safety NGO, SaveLIFE Foundation, and jointly making representations to senior government officials. SRF prepared a detailed ABS evidential dossier for submission and consideration by the country’s Minister of Transport, Mr Gehlot.
As a result of SRF’s campaign, with effect from 1 January 2026, ABS became mandatory for all new PTW models launched after this date.
In Thailand, because of the dominance of the 51-125CC models, which constitute 85% of the PTW market, the objective is to revise existing legislation (126CC and above) to incorporate ABS on all bikes of 50CC and above. With almost 15,000 people losing their lives in PTW accidents every year in the country, 5,000 lives would be saved annually once the entire fleet is protected by the feature, but even in the first few years, the number of lives saved would be in the many thousands. There has been ongoing communication between SRF and Dr Wiwat Seetamanotch, Program Manager of Thailand-WHO Country Cooperation Strategy on Road Safety and former Executive Advisor to Thailand's Board of National Institute for Emergency Medicine.
SRF is partnering with the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) and jointly making representations to senior government officials. SRF and ETSC met with government officials in April 2025, and in June 2025 a meeting was convened in London with the Speaker, senior Parliamentarians and Road Safety NGOs to advocate the need for legislation to be revised so the feature is fitted during manufacture to ALL PTWs of 50cc or above (or with a design speed of 50kp/h or over), capturing the 51cc-125cc model segments as these constitute a significant percentage of the total PTWs sold in the country. The Road Safety Committee in the Thai Parliament continues to put pressure on the government.
Campaign 2: Helmet Wearing Enforcement Cameras (HWEC) for motorcycle and moped riders in Thailand
To promote in Thailand the use of ‘Helmet Wearing Enforcement Cameras’ (HWEC) for motorcycle and moped riders. These cameras utilise artificial intelligence to capture the number plate of offending riders and if they were introduced across the country, would save an estimated 3,000 lives a year. This initiative follows on from the Charity’s grants to Chiangmai and Khon Kaen road safety committees for the inaugural HWEC projects, which provided the evidence on the cameras’ efficacy.
A forum took place in April 2025 in the Thai Parliament for SRF to present and meet with Mr Pichet Chuamuangphan, Deputy Speaker of the Thai House of Representatives and Chairman of the Road Safety Committee in the Thai Parliament, and committee members, to progress both ABS and the national roll-out of HWEC for motorcycle and moped riders. SRF prepared a detailed ABS evidential dossier for consideration by the Parliamentary Road Safety Committee.
Campaign 3: Elimination of the confusing flashing amber filtering sequence at signal-controlled pedestrian crossings in Spain
To continue the dialogue in Spain at a senior level with the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT), an agency of the Spanish Ministry of the Interior responsible for traffic regulation and enforcement in the country, together with regional transport authorities, and leading road safety NGOs. The objective is to eliminate the confusing flashing amber filtering sequence, unrelated to turning movements, at signal-controlled pedestrian crossings sited on multi-lane approaches, throughout the country. SRF contributed and is awaiting the outcome of the consultation in relation to the draft amendment to the ‘Reglamento General de Circulación’ which is approaching two years since it was issued.
Campaign 4: Elimination of the nighttime flashing amber at signal-controlled intersections in India
SRF is partnering with the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), the Indian road safety NGO, SaveLIFE Foundation, and jointly making representations to senior government officials and police, to eliminate the dangerous and unnecessary practice of switching the signalling at junctions to 'flashing amber' at night. There is no logic to switching to ‘flashing amber’ between the hours of 00:00 – 05:00, which only increases the likelihood of high-speed head/side-on collisions. Currently, many drivers in both directions do not approach such compromised junctions with caution, but drive through at speed with a reckless determination that they have priority. Using the ‘flashing amber’ at night has historically been a random decision, yet it is straightforward to revert to the conventional signalling sequence of red/amber/green operating on a 24/7 basis by simply reprogramming the junction’s signal controller. To illustrate the lifesaving potential of this action, evidence is provided from the USA where returning to the conventional sequencing in New England resulted in a dramatic reduction of 89% in right-angle crashes.
SRF and ETSC met with Justice Mr Abhay Manohar Sapre, Chairman, Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety last year to progress this initiative across the country and SRF prepared a detailed evidential dossier for submission to the Supreme Court. SaveLIFE Foundation has recently re-engaged with the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety (SCCRS) in relation to a national directive being issued to eliminate this dangerous signal sequencing.
Campaign 5: High-profile signage at zebra-type ‘Pedestrian Crossings’ in Greece and Thailand
To promote in both Greece and Thailand the high-profile ‘Pedestrian Crossing’ blue and white icon signage, incorporating a fluorescent yellow/green border. These low-cost plaques significantly increase visibility of the crossing ahead to approaching drivers. This campaign follows on from SRF-funded trial projects in Athens and Evia, Greece and Khon Kaen and Phuket, Thailand.
Accident black spot treatments
In addition to the campaigns, during the year, the Charity supported its partners to promote safety and implement various accident black spot prevention schemes covering several countries around the world, including the UK, Europe and Asia.
Overseas visits to the projects funded by the Charity have taken place to allow the trustees to effectively manage and monitor the schemes implemented, together with an ongoing scrutiny of the results achieved.
Following the Charity Commission’s guidance and to achieve the highest levels of good governance, the trustees continue to strictly adhere to their Grant Making, Expenses and Conflicts of Interest policies, and where appropriate a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is utilised for grants awarded by the Safer Roads Foundation.
During the year, overall income was £87,226 (2025 £135,814), of this £34,948 (2025 - £60,789) was from interest generated from the bank, donations of £40,000 (2025 - £55,000) from M C Woodford, £1,664 (2025 - £5,000) from A Somavilla, the remainder was gift aid on donations. The Charity incurred expenditure of £212,412 (2025 - £88,003) on charitable activities. Overall, the reserves of the Charity decreased by £125,184 and at the year-end amounted to £776,846 (2025 – £902,030).
It is the policy of the trustees to maintain reserves in the Charity at a level to enable it to be administered efficiently, to meet its short-term expenditure requirements and to have adequate resources to fund its charitable objectives. In establishing this policy the trustees have considered the disposition of its incoming resources which are mainly derived from donations. The level of reserves is subject to periodic review when considering changes to the Charity's activities and requirements.
It is the policy of the Charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to a minimum of three months’ expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the Charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. At the year end, the reserves of the Charity were £776,846, this is in excess of our policy as money is being maintained on an investment deposit account to generate income.
Risk Factors
Due to the nature of the Charity's expenditure and management of reserves, the trustees do not consider risk to be an element in the presentation of this report. Reserves are held in accounts with Barclays Bank and with current high interest rates, the majority of funds have been invested through the Flagstone platform in a range of interest bearing accounts, where the deposits are guaranteed by the Bank of England Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to these.
The Charity's plans for future periods are that of continuing with the current objectives and activities as described above.
The trustees of the Safer Roads Foundation have adopted the Charity Governance Code as a framework for good practice. We will continuously self-assess our adherence to the Code’s eight principles and already consider ourselves aligned with the expectations, particularly in our clear purpose, financial oversight, risk management, and board culture. As a small charity, some areas, such as formal trustee development, wider policy documentation and enhanced equality, diversity, and inclusion, will be reviewed using the apply-or-explain approach. Evidence of our governance practice is collated and available for review at any time, demonstrating our commitment to proportionate and effective governance in support of our charitable aims.
The Charity is a company limited by guarantee incorporated on 7 March 2008 and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Memorandum and Articles of Association were amended by special resolution on 19 December 2008 and subsequently on 19 September 2012 and 11 February 2019. The Charity was registered with the Charities Commission on 19 January 2009 with registration number 1127577.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
New trustees are appointed by the Board of Trustees.
All new trustees will be provided with an induction pack which includes the constitution of the Charity and guidelines on how to perform their duties as trustee. Further training will be given as and when necessary.
The Trustees' Report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Safer Roads Foundation (the Charity) for the year ended 31 March 2026.
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity’s trustees those matters I am required to state to them in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for my work, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the Charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
An independent examination does not involve gathering all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently does not cover all the matters that an auditor considers in giving their opinion on the financial statements. The planning and conduct of an audit goes beyond the limited assurance that an independent examination can provide. Consequently I express no opinion as to whether the financial statements present a ‘true and fair’ view and my report is limited to those specific matters set out in the independent examiner’s statement.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Safer Roads Foundation is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Office 605, Albert House, 256-260 Old Street, London, EC1V 9DD.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 7 March 2008, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The Charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The Charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Income is recognised when the Charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the Charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the Charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to that category.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the Charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks and other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
The Charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the Charity's balance sheet when the Charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the Charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each reporting end date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting end date. Gains and losses arising on translation are included in net income/expenditure for the period.
Governance costs
Governance costs include costs of the preparation and examination of the statutory accounts, the costs of the trustee meetings and the cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters.
Governance costs includes payments to the accountant of £5,760 (2025 - £5,640 to independent examiner).
Since 1 April 2020, M C Woodford and A Somavilla do not claim reimbursement from the Charity for any personal expenses, including travel, accommodation and subsistence. As the majority of the Charity’s activities are overseas, this offer by these trustees avoids the Charity incurring considerable costs
The company is a registered charity and does not have any taxable income.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
During the year the Charity entered into the following transactions with related parties:
The Charity received donations totalling £41,664 from two trustees (M Woodford and A Somavilla) of the Charity (2025: £60,000). Gift aid amounting to £10,416 (2025: £15,000) has been claimed on the donations.