MSA GB Newslink July

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‘‘‘‘ Road safety feature Mortality road deaths per million inhabitants, 2010 in white, 2020 in colour. It is interesting to see how quickly a country can slip down this road safety table if it takes its eye off the ball. The figure for the Netherlands is a case in point. In 2010 it was the fourth best performer, behind only Sweden, Malta and the UK. Today it sits 11th. It is one of only three nations not to have a national road safety target, along with the UK and Serbia. The Dutch, so long a leader in road safety, are an example of how things slip when the focus moves off controlling road casualties. UK road safety lead crumbles Continued from page 17 Mr Davies continued: “It also commissioned research, including road collision investigation, young driver safety and roads policing. These should bear fruit in the future. “Overall, however, it was a decade of missed opportunities. The UK government did not make road safety a priority, refused to set national casualty reduction targets and failed to provide the comprehensive framework to deliver real change. “There are indications of a new approach from the UK government, recognising the importance of safety to wider agendas such as improving public health, environmental sustainability and relieving pressure on emergency services. Incorporating the equivalent of the revised EU General Safety Regulation into UK law will be an important test.” With no road deaths reduction strategy in place, the absence of an over-arching strategy for improving road safety and infrastructure, fragmented approaches to tackling problem areas such as drink or distraction and further falls in policing, it seems unlikely that this position will change any time soon. The UK, as in many areas, used to rule the world in road safety. Unless the Government changes tack, it won’t do soon. 18 Covid drives deaths fall – but praise as road safety moves up EU agenda Greece and Norway provided the best good news stories in the latest European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) PIN report. There were around 3,900 fewer road deaths in the EU in 2020 compared to the previous year. But this 17% per cent was no triumph of good road safety; it was almost certainly caused by Covid-19 restrictions on travel. In total 18,844 people lost their lives in road traffic in 2020, 10,847 fewer than in 2010, representing a 37 per cent decrease. That means 56,305 people are alive today compared with the picture if casualty rates had stayed the same as in 2010. The saving was valued at some Euro 156 billion. However, over that period only one EU Member State exceeded the EU target to cut road deaths by 50 per cent over the decade to 2020: Greece, with a 54 per cent reduction. Norway, a non-EU country, reduced its road deaths by 55 per cent. Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Belgium, Slovenia, Italy, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Denmark, Austria and Hungary achieved a decrease above the EU average of 37 per cent, while other countries progressed to a lesser extent. The progress was slowest in the Netherlands with a 5 per cent decrease and the UK with 14 per cent in 10 years. Antonio Avenoso, Executive Director of ETSC said: “Road safety is, in the end, a public health issue. Covid has killed 3.5 Road users have the right and responsibility to move around without risking their own life or the lives of others million people worldwide. Over the last decade, at least 13 million have died on the world’s roads. The extraordinary response to Covid-19 has shown how policymakers and society can act when most people are working towards a common goal. Can we apply the same focus to the challenges of road safety? “ “Success is not guaranteed. After months of lockdowns are we set for a decade of rule-breaking and excess, another ‘Roaring Twenties’? Or will we learn from this moment that life on earth is fragile, and needs to be protected? Europe needs political leadership more than ever. Every road user has the right and responsibility to move around without risking their own life or the lives of others. Policymakers have a responsibility to build a safe system that helps protect everyone. “Will they approach it with the energy and dedication that many have approached the challenges of Covid?” NEWSLINK n JULY 2021
For all the latest news, see www.msagb.com Lockdowns raise doubts in drivers’ abilities Colin Lilly Editor, MSA GB Newslink There has been a lot of anecdotal evidence recently about the low standard of drivers’ behaviour post-lockdown. The vehicle insurance specialists Compare the Market has conducted a survey of 2,000 drivers to seek their opinion. Unsurprisingly, 52 per cent of drivers reported they had used their cars less between January and April 2021. Following the lifting of lockdown, 42 per cent said they planned to drive more. However, 15 per cent thought they would be driving less than before lockdown, citing an awareness of fuel prices and the benefits of exercise. They are also less likely to use their cars to commute to work as some are continuing to work from home. Three-quarters of drivers expressed concern about other drivers’ behaviour but only one-third (36 per cent) were concerned about their own driving ability following lockdown. Of the younger drivers under 25, who are less experienced, 55 per cent expressed doubts about their own abilities, while 84 per cent of them were concerned about other road users. It is reassuring that this group has more doubts of their own ability than their older counterparts. On return to the road 31 per cent had doubts about the safety of their vehicles but 16 per cent had not conducted any of the regular checks during lockdown. During that time 62 per cent had checked their tyres but only a worrying 39 per cent had checked the brakes and 36 per cent the battery. Much of this survey tends to support the long-held belief that drivers are much more inclined to criticise others rather than reflect on their own driving. Clubs warn of drug and drink driving spike Motorists in the north east were urged to give drink and drug driving the red card during Euro 2020 by the region’s three biggest football clubs. Drink and drug driving typically increases during major sporting tournaments as people gather to watch the games over drinks. During Euro 2016 there was a big increase in drink and drug driving injuries in the north east, with sizeable spikes on the day of and after England matches. Death or serious injury crashes were up 19 per cent. Road Safety GB North East teamed up with Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Sunderland to remind drivers of the lasting effects of drinking and drug use. Peter Slater, from Road Safety GB NE, said: “We asked people to be sensible. If you know you’re going to be drinking, plan your transport home beforehand, or if you’re driving, stick to soft drinks. And look out for each other. If you know someone has been drinking, don’t let them drive. Speak up – it could save a life.” NEWSLINK n JULY 2021 19
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MSA GB Newslink July

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