Reducing Accidents in Highland

Highland Councillors have welcomed a report that confirms that Highland is performing well in reducing road accidents, including those involving drivers aged 17-25.

Members of the Council’s Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee were told that the national targets for 2010 set in the Department for Transport document “Tomorrow’s Roads: Safer For Everyone” are to reduce fatal and serious road casualties by 40%; fatal and serious child casualties by 50%; and the slight casualty rate by 10%.

The Council is well on course to exceeding these improvement targets, with a 58% reduction in fatal and serious road casualties; 80% reduction in fatal and serious child casualties; and a 17% reduction in the slight casualty rate.

In promoting road safety, the Council works in close partnership with other agencies including: Northern Constabulary;  Highlands and Island Fire and Rescue Service; Scottish Ambulance Service; Driving Standards Agency  British Red Cross;  Transport Scotland; and TranServ Scotland.

Councillor John Laing, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee, welcomed the progress being made in the Highlands to reduce serious and fatal accidents.

He said: “There are still far too many accidents on our roads.  However, I very much welcome the partnership working that is going on in the Highlands to educate drivers on the need to drive responsibly and the funds that are set aside to upgrade our roads.”

Committee members were also advised that accident statistics indicate that there has been a significant reduction in the numbers of accidents at the 29 sites operated by the Northern Safety Camera Partnership (NSCP) since the scheme was introduced in 2004.

Although the hours of operation were increased in the past year to 1, 153, the number of fixed penalty notices issued has reduced from an average of 416 per month to 362, indicating a positive change in driver behaviour.