Welcome to the May Newsletter.
EVENTS
Triple Whammy: Achieving safety, sustainability and health goals in transport
Event date: Wednesday 16th October 2013
Location: Royal College of Surgeons.
This conference will bring together experts from across sectors to place safety in a wider policy framework by examining synergies with sustainable travel and public health, and exploring practical ways in which more joined-up working can deliver better outcomes.
NEWS
Getting young drivers back on the roads – in safety
The Government should thoroughly examine ways to improve the safety of young drivers and their passengers, says PACTS, the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety. It welcomes the forthcoming Government green paper on young driver safety.
Despite public and parliamentary concern, successive governments have not got to grips with the issue, according to a PACTS policy on young drivers, issued ahead of a Westminster Hall debate in Parliament on road safety on Thursday 25 April.
There is a serious safety problem involving young drivers, particularly in the year after they pass their test. In 2011
•412 people were killed in accidents involving young car drivers (17-24 years), accounting for 22% of all road deaths;
•Nearly a fifth (1,552) of all car occupants killed or seriously injured were young car drivers (17-24 years). (DfT, Reported Road Casualties Great Britain)
“The Government has recognised the cost to lives and the economy. The forthcoming Green Paper on young drivers is an historic opportunity to engage with young people, their parents and the wider public to thoroughly explore all the options. We welcome this,” says David Davies, Executive Director of PACTS.
“Improved driver education and the use of telematics are likely to be part of the strategy. A graduated approach to learning and licensing may also be justified. Other countries restrict exposure to risk in the immediate post-test period, especially driving at night, with passengers of the same age, and consumption of alcohol. This is an historic opportunity to put young drivers back on the roads … in safety.”
Get Britain Cycling
The report of the All-Party Parliamentary Cycling Group inquiry ‘Get Britain Cycling’ has been published following extensive public evidence from over 100 individuals and organisations, including cycling organisations, the Automobile Association, and a wide range of government departments and ministers.
It is both possible and necessary to expand the role of cycling in the nation’s transport and social life, says the group. This will lead to reduced congestion, environmental benefits and healthier citizens.
UN Global Road Safety Week
The Second UN Global Road Safety Week (6 – 11th May) will draw attention to the need for pedestrian safety, generate action on measures which work to protect pedestrians, and contribute to achieving the goal of the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 to save 5 million lives.
Pedestrians comprise around one quarter of the annual global road deaths, with a similar picture in GB. Much can be done to make our world more walkable, by providing safe, reliable and accessible facilities for all pedestrians.Guaranteeing the safety of pedestrians will encourage walking which improves health.
PACTS is holding a breakfast briefing at Westminster for key stakeholders on Wednesday 8th May as well as publishing research by Road Safety Analysis into pedestrian casualties and how local authorities might respond, using the latest STATS19 data.
Majority of responses to Scottish consultation are in favour of reducing drink drive limit
Following the recent transfer of the power to set the level of the drink drive limit from Westminster to the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Government published the consultation paper ‘Reducing the Drink Driving Limit in Scotland’. This consultation ran from 6 September to 29 November 2012 and a total of 138 responses were received. The findings from this consultation will help to inform policy thinking and support discussion on what else can be done to tackle the scourge of drink driving in Scotland. Most respondents said that drink driving limits should be reduced in Scotland; 102 (74%) said yes, 33 (24%) said no.
Strategic road network performance specification 2013-15 – 40% KSI reduction goal
The Department for Transport has published the Strategic road network performance specification 2013 to 2015, setting out performance expectations for the strategic road network and Highways Agency, as network operator, for the period 2013 to 2015.
Output 6 is safety:
4.8 The network operator should ensure the safe operation of the network.
Requirements
4.9 The network operator should monitor the annual road fatalities on the SRN. They should also work with others to introduce and/or continue with measures which reduce the numbers killed or seriously injured using and working on the SRN.
4.10 The Strategic Framework for Road Safety 2011 includes forecasts for the reduction in those killed or seriously injured on Great Britain’s roads. The document states that by 2020 a 40% reduction against the 2005 – 2009 average in those killed or seriously injured on the roads can be expected. The network operator should work towards this aspirational goal, and by the end of this specification period they should demonstrate their trajectory year on year.
4.11 The network operator should aim to reduce the numbers of road workers killed or seriously injured whilst undertaking activities on the network operator’s behalf, seeking a reduction in the accident frequency rate from the 2012-13 figure.
New campaign launched in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland’s Environment Minister Alex Attwood has launched a new and challenging DOE road safety advertising campaign. Encouraging road users to “Share the Road to Zero”, it signals the Minister’s aspiration for everyone to join up on a journey towards zero road deaths in Northern Ireland.
PACTS MEMBER NEWS
Insurethebox policy paper on young drivers
The telematics insurer Insurethebox has published a paper in response to the government announcing a green paper on young drivers. Using over 600 million miles of black box data, they question whether a night time curfew will either reduce accidents or cut premiums for young people.
Company developing novice driver training device seeks partners
Simonyx has developed a highly immersive synthetic novice driver training device to enhance attitudinal skills, awareness and hazard perception. They are hoping to find a charitable trust or similar organisation interested in assisting with funding of a detailed evaluation, validation of the device and the positive impact that their training course will have on inexperienced drivers. If you are interested to know more about the project, please contact Laura Wright – laura.wright@simonyx.com.
STATISTICS
Rail Safety Performance – March 2013
The Rail Safety and Standards Board has published the following reports:
RESEARCH
The following House of Commons Library Notes have recently been updated:
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH
As well as encouraging and supporting the sharing of Britain’s expertise and knowledge, PACTS is committed to using the Decade of Action for Road Safety as an opportunity to build on existing European and international contacts and learn from experience from outside the UK. Therefore each month a publication from a different country will be featured on the Decade of Action website.
Each year, more than 270 000 pedestrians lose their lives on the world’s roads, while millions are left with injuries or permanent disabilities. Pedestrian safety: a road safety manual for decision-makers and practitioners, jointly developed by WHO, the FIA Foundation, the Global Road Safety Partnership and the World Bank, and many experts from around the world, provides practical information on how to plan, implement and evaluate a pedestrian safety programme.
The capacity to respond to pedestrian safety is an important component of efforts to prevent road traffic deaths and injuries. Proven interventions exist, yet in many locations pedestrian safety does not attract the attention it merits. The manual, designed for a multidisciplinary audience including engineers, planners, police, public health professionals and educators, will contribute towards strengthening national and local capacity to implement pedestrian safety measures in settings worldwide.
The manual equips the reader with necessary information on: the magnitude of pedestrian death and injury; key risk factors; how to assess the pedestrian safety situation in a country or area and prepare an action plan; and how to select, design, implement and evaluate effective interventions. The manual stresses the importance of a comprehensive, holistic approach that includes enforcement, engineering and education. It also draws attention to the benefits of walking, which should be promoted as an important mode of transport given its potential to improve health and preserve the environment.
PARLIAMENT
MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS
Executive Agencies (Business Plans 2013-14)
Date: April 15, 2013
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Stephen Hammond): I am pleased to announce that all of the Department for Transport’s Executive agencies published their annual business plans on the 3 April. The Highways Agency (HA), the Driving Standards Agency (DSA), the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), the Vehicle Certification Agency (VGA), the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) business plans are now available electronically on agency websites and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The business plans set out the agencies’ budgets, key priorities, activities and performance measures for 2013-14. Service users and members of the public will be able to assess how the agencies have performed against the delivery of their business plans through their annual reports that will be published next year.
Read the full statement here.
Cycle Safety Funding
Date: April 15, 2013
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Norman Baker): On 4 April 2013 I announced the 78 schemes to be offered support under the cycle safety fund. The total value of the schemes is £40 million of which the DFT will contribute approximately £20 million.
Read the full statement here.
DEBATES
Road Safety
Date: April 25, 2013
[Relevant documents: Second Report of the Transport Committee, HC 506, and the Government Response, HC 648.]
Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside) (Lab/Co-op): I will start by setting out the current situation.
The most recent annual report on road casualties was published last year and provides detailed information for 2011. In that year, there were 203,950 reported casualties on the roads of Great Britain. What is notable about the 2011 statistics is that they represent the first annual increase in the number of people killed in road accidents since 2003. The number of fatalities increased by 3% to 1,901. Fatalities increased for car occupants by 6% to 883 and for pedestrians by 12% to 453.
Read the full debate here.
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS
Parliamentary questions are tools that can be used by Members of Parliament to seek information or to press for action. They oblige Ministers to explain and defend the work, policy decisions and actions of their Departments.
All transport safety parliamentary questions and PACTS comments can be viewed here.
The following question was asked during Transport Questions on the 25th April.
UN Decade of Action for Road Safety
12. Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to support the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety. [153164]
Stephen Hammond: The Government’s contribution to the UN Decade for Action is set out in our Strategic Framework for Road Safety. We are tackling road safety by improving enforcement of drug driving and careless driving; launching a new motorcycle safety campaign; and bringing forward proposals for improved young driver safety.
As part of the UN’s Road Safety Week in May, the Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire Dales (Mr McLoughlin) is speaking at a PACTS event on pedestrian safety.
NON-PACTS EVENTS
MASTERCLASS: Campaigning for a 20mph London Movement for Liveable London
1st May 2013, 6.30 – 9.00pm
3Space Blackfriars, London.
This masterclass will explore the reasons why implementing 20mph across London makes sense and consider how to successfully campaign for lower speed limits on streets where people live, work and shop.
TISPOL Conference 2013
1 & 2 October 2013
Radisson Blu Airport Hotel, Manchester Airport
Keep up to date on transport safety news on Twitter: http://twitter.com/pacts
