Across the UK four people die on the roads every day
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has welcomed a government strategy to reduce road deaths.
The National Road Safety Strategy, introduced this week, aims to cut road deaths and any serious injuries by 65% by 2035. The scheme aims to reduce child casualties by 70%.
Elements of the strategy include reducing dangerous driving, target speed limits, tougher punishments for speeding and action against dangerous and uninsured drivers.
It also includes more education in schools and colleges about driving safety, and more funding to make pedestrian crossings and cycle routes safer.
‘Every statistic is a person, a family and a life changed forever’
Parker said: “I’ve met families who have lost loved ones in road collisions, and the impact stays with you.
“Their stories are devastating – a powerful reminder that every statistic is a person, a family and a life changed forever.
“No one should have to go through that. That’s why we’re committed to ‘Vision Zero’ – a clear mission to prevent deaths and serious injuries on our roads, and to make sure everyone can travel safely, no matter how they get around.
“I really welcome [the government’s] strategy and will continue to work with the government to go even further.”
Mat MacDonald, recently appointed as Regional Road Safety Commissioner, said: “The trauma of losing a loved one unexpectedly to the violence of a road traffic collision is simply unimaginable. But the lack of a coherent plan from national government for tackling traffic deaths and serious injuries on our streets up until now has only worsened such anguish.
“This is why the new National Road Safety Strategy is so important. By accepting that every death on our road network is preventable, and outlining steps to reduce the numbers of people killed and seriously injured in collisions, the government is showing long overdue leadership on this issue.
“We look forward to working with partners across the region and beyond to put these ideas into action, preventing collisions, saving lives, and giving our children the futures they deserve.”
