Region unites in bid to cut road death numbers
LEADERS of organisations around Devon and Cornwall have unveiled a strategy aimed at dramatically reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on the region’s roads.
The organisations - all members of the South West Peninsular Road Safety Partnership which consists of emergency services local authorities, NHS trusts and charities - have launched the “Vision Zero” road safety strategy scheme which aims to deliver dramatic reductions in the number of people killed or seriously injured on the region’s roads.
A major operation on the A38 will be launched to coincide with the start of the scheme.
They aim to initially reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on Devon and Cornwall’s roads by 50% within the next decade.
The partnership says that certain groups of road users - young drivers (16-24), older drivers (60+), cyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians and business drivers - are disproportionately represented in road collision data and the new initiative has specific strategies to tackle these.
Politicians from all around the region launched Vision Zero last Friday, with events across the region focusing on different areas of road safety.
Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall and also national portfolio holder for road safety, said: “Between 2009 and 2018, 534 people died and 6,272 were seriously injured on the roads in Devon and Cornwall.
“The trauma, loss and devastation that these numbers illustrate cannot be overstated.
“We believe that no one should be killed or seriously injured as a consequence of using our road network and we have a moral duty to work together to preserve life, prevent harm and make our communities safer.
“We recognise that a radical step change is required to make this happen. This step-change will require agencies to work together alongside communities to find solutions that will be sustainable.
“The only way to make progress is through renewed efforts to work together to encourage better driving practices, educate specific road user groups about the potential dangers involved in roads use, develop better responses to road traffic collisions and, critically, engage the public in being part of the solution.”
The launch of the Vision Zero initiative comes as part of the international Project Edward (Every Day Without A Road Death) focus on leadership, with this year’s theme being “driving for better business” with partners promoting the importance of managing those who drive on the road for work during the day.
Marcus Anning, South West Asset Needs Manager for Highways England, said: “We are working closely with our partners in the Peninsula Road Safety Partnership towards a number of interventions on our roads, and we fully support this latest initiative and the safety benefits it will bring to both the A38 and A30.
“We support any change in driver behaviour, which is almost always a contributory factor in serious collisions, and as part of our partnership working, we have also undertaken a number of joint road safety campaigns aimed at influencing driver behaviour.
“One of these is the Driving for Better Business initiative, a Highways England-funded programme to help employers in both the private and public sectors reduce workrelated road risk, decrease the associated costs and improve compliance with current legislation and guidance.”
The region’s councils have also welcomed the initiative, saying that they are committed to reducing the number of deaths on the roads of Devon and Cornwall.
Rob Nolan, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for environment, waste and public protection, said: “We are committed to reducing the numbers of people killed or injured on our roads and pleased to join this partnership which aims to improve the safety of all road users.
“It’s easy to become complacent when we get behind the wheel and slip into poor habits and today’s action on the A38 was about helping drivers understand the consequences of this behaviour.”