Transport agency launches new road safety plan

Transport Scotland launched its first-ever Strategic Road Safety Plan today (08 November 2007). The plan sets out its goals for the next decade and the challenges the agency faces in delivering them.

Road accidents cost the public an estimated £1 billion each year, however the human and emotional cost runs far deeper. By taking a proactive approach to tackling this, Transport Scotland’s accident investigation unit will deliver the agency’s safety objectives for the forthcoming ten years.

Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change commented on the plan

“It is clear that there are far too many unnecessary deaths on Scotland’s roads each year. This Scottish Government wants to do all it can to reduce the number of tragedies experienced by families across the country. We want to work with all our agencies and the experts to see what more we can all do to improve safety.

“Transport Scotland’s knowledge and expertise, through the Strategic Road Safety Plan, is an important component in our vision of a safer Scotland.

“Our work does not stop there though. We have set up an expert group on road safety, and will look at what further action could be taken. That group will meet for the first time later this month. Their views will help inform a new Scottish Government road safety strategy for Scotland. ”

By making the best use of both their knowledge of the trunk route network and how to effectively reduce accidents, Transport Scotland aims to remove risk while prioritising initiatives that will prevent accidents and mitigate the effects when they do occur.

The strategy will deliver actions grouped under seven key themes, including ‘Risk Reduction’ and Vulnerable Road Users.’ Of particular note is Transport Scotland’s planned efforts to tackle the issues of young driver and motorcycle safety through targeted campaigns and events.

The plan marks a shift to a more proactive approach to safety, particularly in the early identification of potential accident locations and the consequent removal of risk to minimise accident effects. This is in contracts to the traditional approach, which looks at historic accident locations to develop remedial measures.

As part of this new approach, Transport Scotland is using intelligent solutions, demonstrating innovation and working with partners, while sharing best practice with roads authorities across Scotland and throughout Europe.

The Strategic Road Safety Plan is now available.