This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Minister determined to cut road deaths
24/06/2004
The increase in the number of road deaths in Scotland in
2003 was today described as "very disappointing" by
Transport Minister Nicol Stephen.
Figures published in "
Key 2003 Road Accident Statistics" show that 332 people
were killed in road accidents in Scotland last year, an
increase of 28 since 2002. However, the long-term trend for
the total number of people killed and seriously injured
remained downwards with a fall of 7 per cent from 2002,
from 3,525 to 3,263 people.
The 2003 figures show that the number of deaths and
serious injuries are 33 per cent lower and child deaths and
serious injuries are 49 per cent lower than in 1994-98. The
Executive is committed to cutting road deaths and serious
injuries by 40 per cent and halving the number of children
killed and seriously injured by 2010, compared with the
average for 1994-98.
Nicol Stephen said:
"These figures reinforce our determination to improve
road safety through effective education for children and
drivers, safety improvements to our roads and tougher
enforcement.
"It is very disappointing that the number of people
killed on Scotland's roads increased last year and shows we
must continue our efforts to improve road safety. However,
the long term trend in the combined number of deaths and
serious injuries remains firmly downwards, with a reduction
of seven per cent compared to the previous year.
"The number of serious injuries is now at the lowest
level since records began more than 50 years ago. We are
also well on the way to achieving our target of halving the
number of children killed or seriously injured by 2010. We
have already achieved a reduction of 49 per cent compared
to the 1994 to 1998 average.
"However, the number of deaths, most of which occur on
faster, out of town roads remains too high. I want to take
action on this issue and have commissioned work on what
more can be done. We need more detailed analysis of these
fatal accidents and then we need action.
"The Executive-funded Scottish Road Safety Campaign is
producing high-quality road safety campaigns and
educational resources. These have significantly contributed
to the casualty reductions achieved so far. So too has our
investment in road improvement schemes, targeted on
accident blackspots. We are also funding cycling, walking
and safer streets projects, including safer routes to
school and 20 mph school safety zones.
"However, the rise in deaths makes it clear that we
cannot afford to slacken our efforts."
In 2000, the UK Government, the Scottish Executive and
the National Assembly for Wales announced a new road safety
strategy and casualty reduction targets for 2010. The new
targets, which were given in the document Tomorrow's roads
- safer for everyone, are based on the annual average
casualty levels over the period 1994 to 1998, and are
for:
* a 40 per cent reduction in the number of people killed
or seriously injured in road traffic accidents;
* a 50 per cent reduction in the number of children
killed or seriously injured; and
* a 10 per cent reduction in the slight casualty
rate, expressed as the number of people slightly injured
per 100 million vehicle kilometres
The Executive funds the Scottish Road Safety Campaign
to develop key road safety educational resources and
publicity messages.
The Executive is providing funding for 12 local
authorities for pilot schemes to teach 5 and 6 year olds
practical road safety skills. The Executive also funds free
membership of the Children's Traffic Club in Scotland,
ensuring that vital road safety training is available to
all 3 and 4 year old children.
The Executive is providing dedicated funding to local
authorities, totalling nearly £38 million between 2000 and
2006, for cycling, walking and safer streets projects,
including safer routes to school. It is also making
available resources of up to £27 million to local
authorities for the introduction of 20 mph speed limits
outside schools, safer routes to school projects and the
development of home zones.