Transportation and Infrastructure
Item:13
Page:1
REPORT TO INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES COMMITTEE : 9 MAY 2002
ROAD SAFETY PLAN : PROGRESS REPORT
1
Purpose of Report
1.1
To inform and update the Committee on progress relating to the Council’s Road
Safety Plan 2000 – 2005.
2
Background
2.1
The current Road Safety Plan was approved by the Committee at its meeting on
5 October 2000 (Item 7 refers) and launched jointly with Aberdeen City and Moray
Councils on 30 October 2000.
2.2
Under the same Item, the Committee approved the Pass Plus grant assistance scheme
in principle. Progress on the Pass Plus scheme was updated by way of a Bulletin
Report on 4 October 2001.
3
Proposals
3.1
It is proposed that the Committee note progress on Road Safety initiatives and
casualty reduction targets to date and agree to receive a further progress report in
approximately 12 months time.
3.2
It is also proposed that the Pass Plus scheme be extended on a permanent basis.
4
Discussion
4.1
The Road Safety Plan sets out the targets which the Council has set to reduce road
casualties in the period to 2010. The Council’s targets are based on three Central
Government targets for national casualty reduction which are, in turn, based on
average casualty rates for the five-year period 1994 – 1998. The Council agreed to
adopt the Central Government target in relation to reduction in all Killed or Seriously
Injured (KSI) casualties, but adopted more stringent targets in relation to reduction in
Child KSI’s and slight casualties. The national and Council targets are shown in
Appendix 1.
4.2
The graphs in Appendix 2 show the casualties for calendar year 2001 alongside the
target line for 2010. These figures show that all three targets for Aberdeenshire are
currently below the target line, which indicates that, if we maintain the current rate of
progress, we will achieve the targets for 2010. However, it must be borne in mind that
progress is likely to slow as new initiatives become harder to identify and accident
numbers fall.
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4.3
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A number of measures, aimed at assisting the Council achieve its casualty reduction
targets, are being piloted in Aberdeenshire. These include:(a)
The Pass Plus Grant Scheme for New Drivers
This scheme was introduced on a pilot basis in February 2001, following
approval by the Committee at its meeting on 5 October 2000 (Item 7 refers).
A report updating Members on progress with this scheme was submitted to the
Committee Bulletin on 4 October 2001. Interest in the scheme continues to
grow with over 170 applications since launch of the scheme in February 2001.
Following the successful introduction of the scheme in Aberdeenshire, the
Moray Council has recently approved the introduction of a similar scheme, and
Aberdeen City Council are currently considering a possible scheme. In view
of the continuing increase in take-up of the initiative and extension in other
areas, it is recommend that the Committee approve continuation of the scheme
on a permanent basis.
(b)
Low Cost Part-Time Speed Limits at Schools
At its meeting on 15 March 2001, the Committee approved the introduction of
low cost part-time speed limits at 6 schools in Aberdeenshire. This is part of a
Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS) initiative.
The speed limits were introduced at schools in Autumn of last year, and their
effectiveness is the subject of ongoing monitoring. The outcome of this
initiative will be the subject of a report to a future meeting.
(c)
Electronic Vehicle Activated Signing
These are being trialled at one school location (Ellon Academy) and two
Crossroads in Aberdeenshire, with a view to modifying driver speeds in the
vicinity of hazards. The signs are the subject of ongoing monitoring, the
outcome of which will be reported to a future meeting.
4.4
In addition to the above initiatives, the rolling programmes for Cycling, Walking and
Safer Streets initiatives, Traffic Calming, and 20 mph zones, including the new
authorisation for advisory 20 mph limits, as approved by the Committee at its meeting
on 14 March 2002 (Item 16 refers), will also make a significant contribution to road
safety, particularly for the vulnerable groups – i.e. children, the elderly and cyclists.
4.5
A number of further road safety measures are currently planned, including:(a)
Motorcycle Signing
In response to concerns over recent motorcycle accidents, including a number
of fatal accidents, a system of experimental motorcycle signing is to be
introduced on the B974/Cairn O’Mount route, which is a popular motorcycle
route, particularly during the summer months. This initiative is to be launched
on 14 May 2002 with signing being retained in place for a period of
approximately six months. Subject to experience, consideration will be given
to extending this initiative to other locations throughout Aberdeenshire. In
response to increasing concern over the number of motorcycle accidents
during 2001/02, Grampian Police have also increased effort on their “Bike
Item: 13
Page: 3
Safe” campaign, which is aimed at improving two-wheeler skills and
education.
(b)
Speed Display Sign
In partnership with Grampian Police, a successful bid for funding for an
interactive speed display sign, which could be used in towns, villages and
other appropriate locations to moderate driver speed and behaviour, has been
made to the Aberdeenshire Community Safety Steering Group.
(c)
North East Safety Camera Partnership
As is discussed in a separate report before the Committee, proposals are being
developed for a North East Safety Camera Partnership, the principal purpose
of which is to reduce casualties through increased speed monitoring and
enforcement. It is envisaged that this initiative will make a significant
contribution to achieving the Council’s casualty reduction targets for the
period to 2010.
5
Area Implications
5.1
The measures and targets set out in the Road Safety Plan apply to all areas of
Aberdeenshire.
6
Policy Implications
6.1
The Road Safety Plan sets out strategies and measures to achieve the Council’s
approved road casualty reduction targets and road safety policies.
7
Staffing and Financial Implications
7.1
The report has no additional staffing or financial implications.
8
Sustainability Implications
8.1
SUMMARY OF IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABILITY
1
Resource management
NA
2
Work with nature
3
Quality and culture
4
Health, wellbeing and social inclusion
+
5
Scale and context
+
6
Economic and community needs
+
7
Long-term and global effects
+
8
Precautionary principle
9
Overall
+
NA
NA
+
Choice of symbols to be used
+
=
overall positive effect
overall negative effect
some positive and some
negative effects
0
relevant but no
significant effect in this
case
NA not applicable
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9
Consultations
9.1
The Directors of Finance and Law and Administration have been consulted and have
no comment on the report.
9.2
The report has been prepared in consultation with Grampian Police.
10
Recommendations
The Committee are recommended to:1
note the contents of this report;
2
agree to continuation of the Pass Plus scheme on a permanent basis; and
3
agree to receive a further progress report in approximately 12 months
time.
Director of Transportation and Infrastructure
Report prepared by:- A R Duff
30 April 2002
RSP-090502.DOC
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APPENDIX 1
Government and Aberdeenshire Targets for 2010
Target 1
Government Target
40% Reduction in Killed & Seriously
Injured Casualties
Aberdeenshire Target
40% Reduction in Killed & Seriously
Injured Casualties
Target 2
Government Target
50% Reduction in Child Killed &
Seriously Injured Casualties
Aberdeenshire Target
50% Reduction in Child Casualties
Target 3
Government Target
10% Reduction in the Slight casualty rate
expressed as casualties per 100 million
vehicle Kilometres
Aberdeenshire Target
10% Reduction in Slight casualties
Note:
The baseline for all targets is the average of the five-year period 1994 – 1998.
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APPENDIX 2
Progress of Aberdeenshire Targets against the straight-line graph from 1994-98
baseline to 2010 Target
Killed & Seriously Injured
Casualties
250
Target 1:
40% reduction in Killed & Seriously
Injured
200
150
100
50
0
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
Child Casualties against Target Line
from 1994-98 ave.
Target 2:
50% reduction in child casualties
150
100
50
0
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
Slight Casualties against Target Line from
1994-98 ave.
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
1995
Target 3:
10% reduction in slight
casualties
2000
2005
2010
2015