Agenda item

Report of Strategic Director Communities & Environment.

The Committee received an update and presentation on road safety from officers from Transport & Highways.

Committee were advised that there are several effects on communities as a result of road traffic accidents, there were:

·         Immeasurable loss and trauma

·         Economic loss to UK economy

·         Huge burden on Health Service

·         Cost to LAs and Emergency Services

·         Financial loss to employers

·         Significant congestion

It was further noted that effective road safety results in:

·         Saved lives and prevented injuries

·         People living healthy and full lives

·         Prevented emotional and physical trauma

·         Saved public money/supported policies

·         Tackled health inequalities

·         Improved quality of life

An overview of the total reported road user casualties by road user group in Great Britain from 2016 was provided. It was also noted from the presentation that all collisions reported to Northumbria Police where someone has been injured are recorded on the national CRASH database.

From the presentation Committee were informed of the various engineering interventions that can prevent road traffic accidents and the education, training and publicity interventions that the Council are involved in.

A further overview of enforcement interventions was provided including civil enforcement of bus lanes. It was also noted that the speed management strategy is considered crucial to reduce casualties and that speed limits are limits, not targets.

The Committee were advised that is continues to be a challenge to identify interventions that are acceptable, affordable and effective and that popular solutions do not always delivery the most powerful results. From the presentation it was noted that we need effective road safety and speed management strategies and that secure financial staff resource is required to deliver on those strategies. It was concluded that to continue to make a tangible, measurable difference, we must be prepared to take tough actions that focus on driving down incidents involving serious and fatal injuries on our roads.

It was asked whether the road user casualties information had been provided by car insurance companies – it was advised that car insurance companies do not provide this information and can be guarded about releasing such statistics. It was subsequently confirmed that at a national level, insurance companies are very reluctant to share any raw data on road traffic collisions that have been reported to the, meaning that we need to make do with any limited level of analysis that they choose to undertake themselves. However the analysis that is subsequently shared by insurance companies generally supports the analysis that we conduct with Police data. It is unlikely therefore that we would need to change our intervention strategy should insurance data become available.

 It was asked whether Council staff could have an app installed on their handsets that prevents calls and texts being received, it was noted that there is no Council policy to require this however consideration could be given in future if issues were highlighted. It was subsequently noted that all drivers of fleet vehicles are issued Driver’s Handbooks detailing their responsibilities .

It was said that the traffic calming around Saltwell Park was welcomed however it was noted that traffic has increased in surrounding streets as commuters use alternative routes to avoid the speed bumps.

A comment was made that no amount of highways engineering can prevent all road traffic accidents – it was highlighted that of 7 deaths recorded on Gateshead roads 3 were 17 years old and all involved speeding.

It was asked what the procedure is to have flashing speed signs installed – it was noted that currently they are only introduced as an integral element of wider traffic calming or traffic management schemes but that the protocol is to be reviewed to determine whether they should also be considered as a stand-alone intervention.

RESOLVED:

i)              That the information from the report and presentation be noted.