Road Death Figures Stagnate As Campaigners Call For Urgent Action
The number of deaths on the road has remained at a similar level for the past decade, with last year’s figures now being revealed.
It’s prompted discussion from road safety campaigners and organisations in the fleet industry about what can be done to reduce the number of deaths on the road in the coming years.
As the police and local authorities join together in several schemes around the country to catch offenders, the question is whether a more joined-up programme that involves a police presence on the roads could be the answer.
How Can We Reduce The Number Of Road Deaths?
Accidents, serious injuries and road deaths are the most severe concern when it comes to road safety.
That goes without saying, of course, but finding solutions that reduce the number of accidents and as a result, injuries and deaths, is easier said than done.
Initiatives like the Police’s strategy on the M6 during June 2024 have been interesting to follow to see just how effective they can be.
More than 200 vehicles were stopped using unmarked HGVs from National Highways in the joint initiative as police officers identified offences being committed from their higher vantage point in the passenger seat of the vehicles.
Those includes using a mobile phone while driving and not wearing a seatbelt as the two most pressing issues – both of which can contribute to a lack of concentration and an increased risk of serious injury during an accident.
The issue, as many will point out, is that initiatives like this one require a lot of people power to implement, which could be an issue as policing numbers are already strained as it is.
It’s why calls for more automated cameras to catch offending drivers are gaining traction and work is already being done to improve the situation.
The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) is leading the calls for changes to be made, producing a manifesto that they say will put strategic action in place to address the road safety issue in the UK.
Things that are part of the potential solution are establishing a road safety investigation branch, introducing graduated driver licences, and adopting advanced vehicle safety regulations.
With five people dying every day on UK roads and more than 30,000 either being killed or seriously injured every year, it’s clear there is an issue to address.
Road Safety – What Does The Future Hold?
What happens to road safety in the coming years is unknown, but one thing is for sure – more needs to be done.
With the potential introduction of autonomous vehicles, as well as more drivers than ever being on the road (something which looks set to increase in the coming years), road safety has never been more important.
One thing is for sure, authorities recognise that there’s an issue and they’re working towards finding the right solutions.
What do you think needs to be done to improve road safety? Are there any measures you’d like to see introduced? Let us know in the comments below.
