UK strategy aims to cut road casualties
The UK Government has published a Road Safety Strategy today, setting out plans intended to reduce deaths and serious injuries on UK roads.
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) responded through its Road Safety Lead, Dan Quin.
Quin described the strategy as an important step and said progress on road safety has slowed over the past decade.
NFCC highlights measures for young drivers
Quin welcomed measures focused on young driver safety.
He pointed to a consultation on a minimum learning period as part of the strategy.
He said the NFCC would like to see stronger protections for vulnerable road users.
NFCC backs new investigation branch
Quin said the NFCC has supported calls for a new Road Safety Investigation Branch.
He welcomed the announcement that the branch will be established.
He also welcomed the adoption of a Safe System approach.
Quin said this approach focuses on road design so that human mistakes do not result in death or serious injury.
Fire and rescue role and resourcing
Quin said there is scope to go further to make roads safer.
He said fire and rescue services already play a role in road safety.
He cited more than 32,000 road traffic collisions attended by fire and rescue services in England last year.
He said this was a 17% increase over the past five years.
He said statutory responsibilities for fire and rescue services focus on preparing for and responding to collisions.
Quin said the NFCC wants the Government to consult on expanding those duties to reflect prevention activity such as education campaigns and programmes aimed at safer road use.
He said road safety commitments should be backed by investment in prevention and emergency response capabilities.
NFCC statement in full
Dan Quin, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Road Safety Lead, said: “NFCC strongly welcomes the announcement of a new road safety strategy, which is a crucial step towards reducing deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
“NFCC and organisations across the road safety sector have long warned that progress on road safety has dragged across the last decade and we are encouraged to see the Government recognising this and taking meaningful action.
“We particularly welcome the introduction of measures that strengthen young driver safety, including a consultation on a minimum learning period, although we would like to see the Government introduce greater protections for these vulnerable road users.
“NFCC has supported calls for the establishment of a new Road Safety Investigation Branch to bolster prevention strategies, and we are pleased to see this come to fruition today.
“It is also welcome to see the adoption of the Safe System approach, which is essential for a road network designed so that inevitable human mistakes do not result in death or serious injury.
“Embedding these principles is critical to a truly comprehensive and sustainable road safety framework.
“Whilst this strategy marks important progress, there remains scope to go much further to make our roads safer.
“Fire and rescue services already play a vital role in road safety, responding to over 32,000 road traffic collisions in England alone last year – a 17% increase over the past five years.
“Yet their statutory responsibilities remain limited to preparing for and responding to collisions.
“NFCC is calling on the Government to consult on expanding these duties to reflect the wide-ranging prevention activities fire and rescue services deliver, such as education campaigns and programmes that help people become safer road users.
“Crucially, the Government must ensure its commitment to road safety is backed by the necessary investment in prevention and emergency response capabilities.
“Fire and rescue services stand ready to fulfil their critical role in reducing harm and saving lives.
“With the right support, we can make an even greater impact.”