In 2019, the the last full year before lockdowns began, there were 595 motorcycle casualties, including 22 fatalities, on Welsh roads - prompting the return of the annual 'Operation Darwen' campaign as restrictions are wound down, writes Dave Moss. Focussed on reducing the risk of motorcycle-related deaths and serious injuries across the country's road network, it's supported by all four Welsh … [Read more...]
Road safety missing opportunities, say experts
IAM RoadSmart has called the government’s Road Safety Statement announced today ‘a mixed bag’ with welcome news on road policing, pedestrian distraction and seatbelts, but a worrying lack of detail on younger and older drivers or motorcyclists. Today the government, as part of the statement, also confirmed a review of roads policing and traffic enforcement will be launched later this … [Read more...]
Potholes plague drivers
Drivers are still 2.5 times more likely to breakdown due to potholes than in 2006. Despite the generally mild start to winter RAC patrols still dealt with 1,714 breakdowns in the last three months of 2018 that were more than likely caused by potholes or poor road surfaces. This number of call-outs for damaged shock absorbers, broken suspension springs and distorted wheels represented 0.8% of … [Read more...]
Road safety spending crashes
A row has erupted over the latest road accidents statistics and figures which show no accident reductions while a FoI request shows big cuts in safety expenditure by the Government. Nearly 4,000 drivers involved in an accident failed a breath test in 2017, according to Department for Transport (DfT) statistics. But the total number of drivers and riders tested fell to under 100,000 for the … [Read more...]
Cutting road deaths saves lives and costs
Action is needed from across government departments to reverse the trend of flat-lining road deaths, according to road safety charity IAM RoadSmart. And reducing these deaths would in turn offer a large saving to the public purse. The new report, Evaluating the costs of incidents from the public sector perspective, is the first attempt to update the formula for death and injury cost figures … [Read more...]