Partners promise action on the launch of refreshed road safety strategy
Partners who form the Bedfordshire Road Safety Partnership (BRSP) gathered at the council offices in Chicksands this month and pledged their commitment to working together to improve the safety of Bedfordshire’s roads for all users.
The refreshed road safety strategy, which is set to 2035, focuses on a long-term ambition to achieve ‘Vision Zero’, where nobody is killed or seriously injured on the roads of Bedfordshire; with an interim target of reducing current numbers by 50 per cent.
The partnership commissioned the services of UK leading road safety experts, Agilysis, and after a period of review, the new strategy has been launched with a commitment from all agencies to take collective responsibility to work towards all five areas of the Safe Systems principles. Work will focus on safe speeds, safe vehicles, safe roads and roadsides, safe road users and post-crash response.
Bedfordshire Road Safety Partnership (BRSP) Strategic lead, Deputy Chief Constable Dan Vajzovic of Bedfordshire Police, said: “The review recognised the positive work of the partnership and strong relationships, and has put a focus on a more coordinated and consistent strategic direction to enable the delivery of road safety in Bedfordshire.
“We are reminded all too often of the dangers of the roads and we owe it to families, friends and neighbours to reduce the number of people tragically and avoidably killed and seriously injured on the roads in our county. We will work relentlessly towards our vision.
“This is not one individual organisation’s responsibility, and it is fantastic to see senior leaders from the political and operational sphere coming together. We must vote with our feet and time to get the best use of our finite resources to improve the safety of our streets.”
More than 1,500 respondents engaged with a public consultation and online survey carried out as part of the partnership review. Road safety was the highest issue highlighted for action, and priority areas voted on by the respondents included improving safety on the roads, road maintenance, speeding, police enforcement and tackling anti-social behaviour.
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) brought the recently launched Vision Van to the event, a road safety vehicle jointly funded by the BRSP and Office of Police and Crime Commissioner which utilises virtual reality to engage and educate young people.
This new tool available to the partnership aims to show drivers the impact of their actions and is being used at community events and in schools and colleges. The aim is to make a lasting change to the behaviour of road users by using innovation to provide an immersive experience that allows young people to witness the consequences of distracted driving.
The launch of the strategy heard the commitments of all partners to deliver the vision to 2035 and concluded with some words from Road Victim Trust Chair of Trustees, Lyn Hesse, who outlined the support the charity provides to anyone affected by a fatal collision.
Phil McCarthy, Project Manager for the BRSP, concluded: “No death on our roads is acceptable so it is important we get the refreshed strategy right and drive delivery through the Safe System approach.
“This plan becomes the blueprint of improving safety before a journey even begins and reducing harm on the roads. It is imperative we set our collective ambition to make a difference to the road users in Bedfordshire and ultimately save lives.”
Actions and activity already being undertaken are:
• Central Bedfordshire Council devising a road safety plan based on data with the appointment of a new data analyst to better target resources and give the best response
• Training in school and colleges – delivery of the MORE course aimed at 16-30 year olds
• Virtual reality: launch of the Vision VR and purchase of VR headset to use as part of education
• Campaigns with local businesses
• Community Speed Watch initiatives
• Luton Borough Council vehicle safety days with local residents and business colleagues to deliver a hands on experience and make vehicles safer
• Launch of PolEd
• Police enforcement: seizing mopeds causing anti-social behaviour using Section 59
• Project Apex and Bike Safe workshops targeted a motorcyclists
• Site assessments for fatal collisions to understand and identify any issues with the roads
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service's Group Commander Prevention, Rob Hulatt, explained: “Among all the incidents we attend as a fire service, road traffic incidents consistently result in the highest casualty rates. The BRSP exemplifies effective collaboration, and we are pleased to offer the Vision Van to enhance learning and promote road safety. As an organisation, we are dedicated to supporting the implementation of this strategy and to reducing the number of individuals who are killed or seriously injured on our roads.”