WHAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO NOW
170. The research commissioned by the Government
and the pilot projects which it has funded have shown very clearly
what ought to be done. Unfortunately, too few local authorities
have adopted comprehensive speed reduction measures. Local
authorities rightly cherish their independence, but this should
not extend to neglecting road safety: saving lives should not
be a matter for discretion. The Government has to change this
situation and take a lead
171. The Government should establish a National
Speed Management Strategy which should:
- highlight the effect of decreases in speed on
reducing casualties;
- set targets for reductions in speeds by local
authority;
- publish examples of success and good practice,
and take measures to get them adopted;
- establish a programme to change attitudes, including
misinformation from the press; seek a more responsible attitude
to speeding from the media, advertisers and motor manufacturers;
and provide a much larger publicity budget to encourage safer
driving;
- involve Government, highway authorities, police,
and motoring organisations in developing the strategy, and
- publish a regular report on success in implementing
the measures set out in its document, New Directions in
Speed Management (March 2001).
172. This strategy will not be sufficient on its
own. Road safety should be given a higher priority in the Ten
Year Plan. The Transport Research Laboratory concluded that £3bn
would be adequate to make urban roads safer by major changes to
their design. This sum will no longer be sufficient. The Department
of Transport should now estimate the total amount which needs
to be spent on safety measures. This should be specifically identified
in the Ten Year Plan. The DTLR should provide funds for further
demonstration projects, including Safety City Projects in each
region of the country, and similar projects in rural areas.[250]
173. The Government should insist that all local
authorities introduce Speed Management Plans which give priority
to pedestrians in urban and rural areas. If local authorities
do not introduce schemes to deal with speed, best practices should
apply.
174. Road Traffic Speed is not just a matter for
the DTLR, but for the whole Government. There has to be a consistent
approach from the whole of Government, including DTLR, the Home
Office, the DfES, the DTI and the Department of Health. Road safety
must be a central part of the many strategies which these Departments
are drawing up.
175. Finally, and most importantly, the Government
needs to give political leadership. This could have a major
effect on whether local authorities take action or not. It means
that when the media attacks measures to reduce speed and promote
road safety, Ministers are present to defend their policies and
those of local authorities. When lives are at stake the Government
should attempt to lead public opinion. This has not happened to
date. Professor Allsop informed us that
"Another judgement that the Government will
have to make in their determination to influence speeds is how
and how fast it is effective to try to move ahead of current opinions
and behaviour on the part of drivers who will continue to determine
what will be the prevailing speeds in the future ... but the Government
often has the job of moving ahead of relevant opinion".[251]
250 The DTLR already provides: to encourage an expansion
of 20mph zones (£3.5m) home zones (£30m fund) and to
fund five demonstration projects to improve safety on mixed priority
urban routes (5.5m). Back
251
RTS 36. Back
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