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Less Roadside Clutter Could Cut Road Deaths In Wales
Wed, 30 Sep 2009

A new road safety report has put forward a number of proposals that could help cut the number of deaths on Welsh roads.

The report, produced by the National Assembly for Wales's Enterprise and Learning Committee, called on the Welsh Government to consider less roadside clutter, a Swedish idea based on fewer road signs to distract drivers, and for further investment in mobile camera technology on the trunk road network.

It also suggested local authorities enforce more 20mph zones in busy town centres and residential areas, claiming a similar scheme in Hull has resulted in a 60 per cent fall in the number of road accident-related injuries .

The committee said greater co-operation between the Welsh Government, local authorities and emergency services is needed to help make roads safer in Wales, and added that the country should set its own road safety targets which take into account the special circumstances of the Welsh road network.

Committee chairman Gareth Jones AM said: "We don't believe that throwing speeding tickets around like confetti would prevent deaths in road accidents from happening ever again, but we do believe enforcement along with education and closer co-operation is the route to safer roads in Wales ."

"While the UK may have, statistically, the safest roads in Europe we should not rest on our laurels," he added.

"We believe the Welsh Government should grab the opportunity to affect real change on our road network and show we can lead the way in reducing road accidents and vehicle emissions at the same time."

Peter Ogden, of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, said: "We totally support this initiative, especially a move to reduce roadside clutter which is something we have been calling for a long time."

Road safety charity Brake said it welcomed any proposals at were proven to reduce the number of road casualties.

Cathy Keeler, the group’s deputy chief executive: "Brake hopes that the Welsh Assembly Government will take the ideas forward and allocate funding to ensure that they are implemented."
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