Road safety in Norfolk to get £315,000 of improvements

Date: 29/8/2012

A rise in the number of road deaths and serious injuries in Norfolk has led to it being given £315,000 in extra funding to tackle road safety.

Official figures released by the county council showed that the number of serious accidents rose from 329 in the year to June 2010 to 360 the following year to June 2011.

A report into the subject states: “Work is under way using information available from partners, business intelligence and best practice research to explore potential causes for the rise in vulnerable road user injuries.”

One specific area which is likely to receive particular attention is that of young road users, as the number of children involved in accidents rose from 19 to 33 within the same time frame.

Another issue which is likely to be tackled with the new cash injection is people travelling without a seatbelt.

The figures show that one in four road deaths on Norfolk’s roads are related drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts.

This is an issue which requires education as all cars are fitted with seatbelts, but it is impossible to make people wear them.

The council intend to use some of the £315,000 to help improve the skills of younger drivers and motorcyclists who are less experienced.

Schools and colleges will be targeted as places to run awareness campaigns and get the message across before young people even start driving, so that when they do so it is with a safe attitude.

It is rural roads where the majority of the accidents recorded in Norfolk took place, as opposed to city centre locations.

The report said that the rise in the number of vulnerable road users who have been injured or killed on the road is consistent with more people choosing to travel by bicycle or on foot.

This is due to economic pressures making cars more expensive to run and a less viable option during the economic downturn.

Posted by Sarah Bailey

Transport Research News and Vehicle Safety News