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Road
safety news - week commencing 7 April
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Electronic
signs kill speed, according to TRL
Electronic warning signs are highly effective in reducing vehicle
speeds and accidents, according to new research carried out by
the TRL for the Government (Surveyor, 3 April).
The large-scale study of 60 sites across four counties also shows
no evidence that drivers become less responsive to the signs,
even over a three-year period.
The TRL study looked at four types of sign. Speed rounded signs
showed the biggest drop in accident numbers (58 per cent). Junction
and bend warning signs produced a 26 per cent fall. Camera repeater
signs displaying a camera logo were associated with an average
reduction of 17 per cent.
TRL concluded that, given their effectiveness and low operating
costs, vehicle-activated signs could be used to reduce accident
risk without speed camera enforcement. This was seized upon by
the Association of British Drivers (ABD), which called for the
wholesale replacement of ‘the cash-for-cameras scheme with
these lifesaving devices'.
The TRL Report 548 is available at: www.trl.co.uk/static/dtlr/pdfs/TRL548.pdf
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DfT
announces plans to tackle noise, congestion and safety
The Government last week announced a package of road improvements
to ‘tackle congestion, improve road safety and reduce noise
levels’.
The package focuses on some of the most congested points on the
trunk road network and provides localised solutions to deal with
congestion. It includes junction improvements to improve traffic
flow and an upgrade of the main east-west road through Cambridgeshire.
For the first time there is a timetable for the removal of all concrete
surfaces on the motorway and trunk road network. In the first phase
alone over 11,500 homes across the country will benefit from reduced
traffic noise and journeys on these roads will also be quieter for
motorists.
"Today’s announcement is a step in our plans to deal with
the most congested points on the road network," said Alistair
Darling. "We remain committed to tackling congestion
and reducing the number of accidents on our roads. This package
will deliver those benefits and provide welcome relief from heavy
traffic for communities near busy roads."
More @ www.dft.gov.uk |
CTC
plans national cycling conference for May 2003
The National Cycle Training and Education Conference will take place
on 12 May at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London. The
conference is organised by the CTC, the national cyclists’
organisation in association with, among others, DfT, the National
Cycling Strategy Board, LARSOA, IRSO and RoSPA.
The conference will set out to bring the cycling, education and
road safety communities up to date with latest thinking on cycle
user training -and to launch a number of initiatives in the field.
It is designed for anyone with an interest in the promotion of cycling
and cycle training.
The full rate cost – for commercial companies, central Government
departments and agencies – is £250, while the reduced
rate – for local authorities, other public bodies and trade
associations – is £175.00. The supported rate - for voluntary
organisations, charities, trade unions and academics - is £125.00.
All prices are exclusive of VAT.
For credit card bookings please telephone 0870 873 0060.
Alternatively, further information can be obtained from cycle.training@ctc.org.uk
or Greg Woodford, Training and Registration Officer, CTC, 69 Meadrow,
Godalming , Surrey GU7 3HS |
HSE
launches work related road safety website
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a work-related
road safety section to its website, full of information and useful
links.
The new site can be found at:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/roadsafety/index.htm.
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York
launches car-share website
The City of York Council, in partnership with three other large
public sector employees in the area, has launched a car-share website
(Local Transport Today, 3 April). The site matches together drivers
and passengers, whether for one-off or daily trips and is open to
anyone.
The site can be viewed at: www.carshareyork.com |
Revenue
shortfall for Norfolk camera partnership
Fewer motorists than expected have been hit with fixed-penalty fines
after being caught speeding on safety cameras in Norfolk - leaving
the scheme’s administrators with a financial headache, according
to a report in the Eastern Daily Press (3 April).
But the Norfolk Casualty Reduction Partnership (NCRP) - some of
whose cameras have been set on fire, shot at and vandalised in recent
months - has succeeded in reaching an arrangement with DfT officials
to avoid a potential bill of £303,942.
The DfT refused to allow the £38,735 shortfall for 2002-03
to be rolled over into the coming year, as it had with the previous
year’s deficit of £265,207. Instead, the NCRP will make
use of a Local Authority Temporary Borrowing Facility and recover
the costs of capital expenditure over 18 months. As a result, its
accounts will show a break-even situation for 2003-03.. |
Nominations
invited for school travel award
Sustrans is inviting children and young people
to nominate their local school travel initiatives for a series of
awards (Local Transport Today, 3 April). The awards categories are:
best safety improvements for pedestrians; best safety improvements
for cyclists; best school champion; best school initiative; and
best local authority initiative.
Nomination packs are available by telephone 0117 915 0100, email
awards@sustrans.org.uk
or by visiting www.srsconference.org.uk |
Norfolk
to proceed with ‘Quiet Lanes’ initiative
Norfolk County Council is pressing ahead with
plans for a 'Quiet Lanes' network - despite the Government’s
failure to produce guidance and regulations, more than two years
after the Transport Act introducing them (Surveyor, 3 April).
The council has been piloting the concept - to make country lanes
more pleasant for walkers, cyclists and horse riders - with a scheme
between Cromer and North Walsham in north Norfolk. It is now proposing
a second Quiet Lanes zone between the market towns of Attleborough,
Diss and Thetford in the south. |
Liverpool
replaces speed humps
Liverpool City Council is to replace over 100 speed
humps introduced in the city in the early 1990’s, following
complaints that they are too high and are damaging vehicles (Local
Transport Today 3 April). A council spokesman said it was expected
to cost £1m to reduce the height of the humps. |
Blind
people at risk on streets
Over 1m blind and partially sighted people risk
serious injury every time they walk on public highways, the Guide
Dogs for the Blind Association claimed last week (Surveyor, 3 April).
The Association said that despite the support of utility firms and
local authorities, street hazards still remain. A survey of guide
dog owners showed that the biggest obstacle was overgrown hedges
and low hanging branches. Concern was also expressed about badly
fenced street works and poorly placed lampposts and other street
furniture.
Respondents also expressed fear of accidents caused by badly maintained
footways.
The Association invited mayors to walk blindfolded down their local
high street as part of its campaign. |
Essex
Partnership to install 28 new cameras
The Essex Safety Camera Partnership is to install
28 new safety cameras during spring 2003.
This figure comprises 22 speed cameras and 6 red-light cameras,
including five camera relocations to address visibility restrictions
or changes to the road layout.
More @ http://www.essexsafetycameras.co.uk |
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