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Chapter 14: Measures to Promote Road Safety
14.1 The consultation stated:
Road accidents are falling, but each accident - particularly where serious injuries or deaths result - is a tragedy and has a major impact on productivity (both in the longer term because of the loss of the individual concerned to the workforce temporarily or permanently, and in the shorter term because of the knock-on impacts of accidents on the road network and the cost to the health service). To tackle the personal and economic consequences of road accidents, we have targets in place for a 40% reduction in fatal and serious road accident casualties (50% for children) by 2010, compared with the average for 1994-98, and levels of casualties are falling year on year.
The consultation asked:
Q53: We are tackling road safety and are on track to meet our targets. But is there more that should be done at the national (rather than local) level?
In total, 112 respondents (36%) addressed this question.
Many consultees commented in general terms that increases in the use of public transport and a shift from use of private car to more sustainable modes of transport will contribute to improving road safety.
Four key themes emerged from the remaining commentary. These were:
- Need for education on road safety issues
- Need for tighter law enforcement of existing measures
- Need to publicise road safety issues
- Need to find ways to reduce the speed of motor traffic
14.1.1 Views on Education on Road Safety Issues
A recurring recommendation was for greater education of drivers to make them more skilled and safer. Several respondents considered that young drivers should be especially targeted in this regard. Calls were made for support for the Pass Plus scheme ( LA, LA, LA, LA, Bus, Oth PB) and the reinstatement of funding for the Kerbcraft initiative ( LA, LA). It was suggested that young driving education should commence in High Schools (Rep Org). One view was that the age for obtaining a driving license should be raised (Pub). Others recommended mandatory re-testing of drivers at intervals ( LA, Bus), and refresher courses for speeding offenders (Bus). A call was made for safer and environmentally friendly issues to be part of the driving test (Oth PB). Another respondent requested that drivers be trained in making them motorbike aware (Acad).
Others took up the notion of road safety training at school, with one consultee recommending that road safety should form part of the national curriculum (Oth PB). Cycle training at P6 age was supported ( EB/ ST) run by especially skilled trainers ( EB/ ST). Others suggested that voluntary cycle training should be available for all ages ( EB/ ST, EB/ ST). Two respondents identified a need for pedestrian skills training at primary school ( LA, LA). The Crash Magnets programme was supported (Rep Org), with one consultee calling for the return of the Tufty Club (Pub).
14.1.2 Views on Enforcement of Existing Measures
A common theme was that existing measures in place to promote road safety should be more strictly enforced and policed. Consultees urged that the police be supported in this ( LA, LA) with more traffic police taking to the road (Pub, Oth PB).
A few respondents called for tougher punishment for those flouting the law ( LA, Pub, Pub) with further development of the Automatic Number Plate Recognition Technology system encouraged (Rep Org).
Safety camera partnerships at national level were supported ( LA, LA, LA, Rep Org, RTP) with a few respondents recommending that the precise locations of speed cameras should not be publicised ( EB/ ST, Pub, Pub).
14.1.3 Views on Publicising Road Safety Issues
A recurring recommendation (from local authorities and one Regional Transport Partnership) was for the launch of a national road safety campaign or other form of raising of road safety issue campaign. According to respondents, topics to highlight in any publicity include the dangers of speeding, drinking and driving and using mobile phones whilst driving. It was argued that:
" Any effective driver behaviour campaign would have to be national, robust and hard hitting" ( EB/ ST).
It was considered that a key message should be a zero tolerance approach to drinking and driving ( LA).
14.1.4 Views on Ways of Reducing the Speed of Motor Traffic
A recurring comment was that speed limits should be better enforced. It was suggested that a national campaign should be launched aimed at reducing speeding ( CTG, Rep Org, EB/ ST) with such behaviour made to be socially unacceptable ( LA) or demonstrating willful disregard of safety (Rep Org).
Calls were made for reducing the speed limit to 20mph around schools (Rep Org), in residential areas ( LA, Rep Org) or as a default speed ( EB/ ST). Two respondents urged that speed limits on rural roads be reviewed (Oth PB, Oth PB). One consultee suggested that the current 30mph speed limit be changed simply to a 30kph limit ( LA).
14.1.5 Other Comments
Many consultees reflected on the current targets for road safety with the general view emerging that the NTS appeared to be complacent regarding progress. Calls were made for more ambitious targets from 2010 ( LA, LA, LA) with a zero tolerance approach to road deaths and serious injuries ( RTP). A few respondents expressed caution that targets should not be achieved simply by reducing the volume of bike and other vulnerable road users ( Pub, Pub).
The funding of road safety schemes also came under scrutiny by local authority respondents. Calls were made for greater levels of funding with monies to councils protected perhaps by ring-fencing.
More financial support for road maintenance and safer design was also considered to be necessary to improve road safety, for example road alignments and dualling of carriageways as appropriate.
A few consultees recommended a more joined-up approach to road maintenance between Transport Scotland, and the new Regional Transport Partnerships ( LA, RTP). Calls were made for junctions to be made safer by measures such as better design and even simply cutting down overhanging vegetation ( RTP, Rep Org, Rep Org). One respondent advocated the development of Trunk Road Safety Plans (Rep Org).
The undertaking of research (Oth PB, Oth PB) and sharing of good practice on road safety schemes ( RTP, RTP, LA, LA, Oth PB) were recommended. A role was identified for Transport Scotland in disseminating this ( RTP). The CONCEPT database was referred to as a source of useful international examples (Oth PB).
A few consultees advocated better design of safe walkways and cycle paths as helping to address road safety (Pub, EB/ ST, Misc). More pedestrian crossings were called for (Pub). It was commented that as more pedestrians and cyclists take to the roads, the safety record should improve as drivers become more aware of their presence and change their behaviour accordingly ( EB/ ST).
One consultee called for a national strategy for motorbikes (Pub) with more support for schemes to improve motor biker safety (Bus). Two existing schemes were hailed as effective: the Bike Plus scheme in Perth and Kinross (Pub, Rep Org) and the liaison between the Scottish Ambulance Services and the Northern Constabulary relating to advanced motor biker training (Oth PB).
Road safety issues relating to the transport of school children were raised. Support was expressed for the Safer Routes to School initiative ( EB/ ST). It was recommended that further action be taken to tackle the congestion of the school run (Tr Op, Tr Op). Finally, one respondent expressed strong concern regarding the lack of seat belts on buses which transport school children:
" absolutely unacceptable that each child is not given a seat with a seatbelt. No one would now think to question the long standing requirement to wear seatbelts in cars so it is surely absurd that we send busloads of children off each day without such basic safety features incorporated" (Misc).
14.2 The consultation asked:
Q54: What more can be done to make our streets safer and more pleasant places to be?
In total, 105 respondents (33%) addressed this question.
Several different themes emerged in relation to making streets safer and more pleasant. The 2 most common topics were reducing speed limits and improving street design.
14.2.1 Views on Reducing Speed Limits
A recurring view from consultees representing a range of different sectors was that speed limits should be reduced in urban and/or residential areas. Typically, respondents called for a blanket limit of 20mph in these areas. A few consultees also urged that a rural speed limit strategy be developed ( LA, Oth PB) with others recommending reduced speed limits in villages (Pub, Pub) or on certain minor rural roads ( EB/ ST). The use of speed activated VMS signs was advocated (Bus).
One respondent highlighted their view that there existed a confusing mix of limits in different areas and that it would be helpful to have a unified, national scheme of speed limits ( LA).
14.2.2 Views on Improving Street Design
Many respondents (largely local authority) urged that streets be designed to be pedestrian-friendly with a re-allocation of space in favour of the walker or cyclist. One summed up this sentiment: " plan for people, not for cars" ( EB/ ST). Two respondents argued that transport planners should have a better understanding of the current Government advice on these matters ( LA, EB/ ST). A call was made for bus-only roads (Tr Op).
Specific aspects of street design which consultees wished to see implemented were:
- Better lighting
- Planting/vegetation improvements
- Benches in streets
- Pavements on rural roads
- Regular litter picking to enhance design
The issue of use of traffic calming measures and other "engineered solutions" generated contrasting views. The majority view was in favour of use of traffic calming measures in local streets. However, others argued that these could present a barrier, for example, to the Scottish Ambulance Service (Oth PB) and that cobbles (Rep Org) or speed cameras ( LA) were preferable.
14.2.3 Other Comments
Another topic which split views was that of Home Zones. The majority of those who commented favoured increased use of these, but those who opposed further roll out cited the expense of these measures and the obstacles they presented for visually impaired people who need kerbs and surface contrast to help them get around safely.
It was advocated that flexible funding mechanisms be in place to encourage the integration of road safety with other measures to improve walkability of roads (Oth PB). Continued funding for related initiatives such as Safer Streets was recommended (Oth PB, Vol, RTP).
Greater use of cycle lanes was advocated (Pub, EB/ ST, LA, CTG) with more pedestrian crossings on roads ( EB/ ST, EB/ ST) and longer pedestrian phases on traffic lights ( EB/ ST, Eq Bod). A call was made for Community Street Audits to inform development ( EB/ ST, Vol).
Again, many consultees requested more stringent enforcement of existing legislation relating to road safety with a few respondents arguing that local authorities should be given more flexibility regarding setting speed limits (Pub) or implementing and enforcing other measures (Oth PB). A recurring comment was that consultees would like to see a greater police presence on local streets.
It was considered that local communities should be consulted on how best to make their streets safer (Oth PB). Finally it was pointed out that useful guidance on making streets safer could be found in PAN 76, 77 and 78 (Rep Org, Acad).
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