A diverse range of revolutionary initiatives have been announced by the government, in a bid to improve overall road safety across the UK. These initiatives have been proposed and will be implemented to create a two-year action plan.
This action plan proposes new measures to ensure all road users stay safe on UK roads, taking on bold systems to combat dangerous road conditions, drivers and behaviour towards other road users.
This includes a new back office unit to assess road safety, which requires police officers to analyse video evidence that is submitted by the general public, often from the likes of dashboard cameras.
Cycling and Walking Minister, Jesse Norman, said: “Greater road safety – and especially the protection of vulnerable road users such as cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders – is essential.”
“We want to improve air quality, encourage healthy exercise, reduce obesity and boost our high streets and economic productivity.
“That means more support for cycling and walking, and that’s why these new measures are designed to deliver.”
Since cyclists are such vulnerable road users, The Department for Transport (DfT) will introduce a new cycling and walking champion. This process will guarantee new policies meet the needs of UK road users. DfT will also introduce a new 2019 Bikeability Summit, which will encourage businesses across the UK to promote both cycling and walking schemes, by offering these schemes to their employees.
Bikeability schemes will be further assessed, too, with an investigation into whether various insurance companies could offer discounts for being involved in these road safety schemes; providing an incentive for car drivers and other road users to learn about cyclist safety.
Joshua Harris, Director of Campaigns at Brake – the road safety charity, said:
“People who choose to cycle or walk should be able to do so in a safe and welcoming environment; active travel is not only great for personal health but public health, too.
“With cyclists and pedestrians among the most vulnerable on our roads, safety, and the perceptions of safety, need to be addressed to encourage more people to leave their cars at home and get active.
“We welcome the government’s action plan, which couldn’t be more timely as people across the country are encouraged to be more #BikeSmart for national Road Safety Week.”