DfT released today statistics showing an increase in road causalities across Great Britain.

Kate Carpenter, Chair of CIHT’s Road Safety Panel, said, “CIHT is concerned that the loss of skilled road safety professionals in both public and private sectors has contributed to the reduced focus on safety, despite continued high public concern.  It will also reduce the scope to address the increase in accidents which was expected because there is historically a reduction in road deaths during recession.  CIHT calls on government to show leadership in highway management, to ensure that casualty prevention remains a high priority in all authorities.  Fear of accidents is deterring people from walking and cycling, when the benefits include health, cost saving, journey time and reduced environmental impact.

CIHT has today endorsed the below press release issued by The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS).

Figures published today by the Department for Transport (http://www.dft.gov.uk/statistics/releases/reported-road-casualties-gb-main-results-2011/) show that in 2011 road deaths rose by 3% (the first increase since 2003) and that serious injuries rose by 2% (the first increase since 1994).

In addition, car occupant deaths rose by 6%, pedestrian deaths by 12% and serious injuries among cyclists by 16%.

Commenting on behalf of the road safety community listed below, Robert Gifford, Executive Director of PACTS, said “These are extremely disappointing results after two years  - 2009 and 2010 – of substantial falls in deaths and injuries. They are a demonstration of the concern that all of us have expressed about the lack of leadership, priority and resources given to road safety by the current government.

“This is the first time that deaths have risen since 2003 and serious injuries since 1994. They also occur at a time of no change in terms of the amount of traffic. For deaths to begin to rise at a time of recession should be a matter of concern to the government.

“Ministers should see these figures as a wake-up call to review the impact of the Strategic Framework published in May 2011 on the provision of road safety at a local level and on the priority given to roads policing. They should now enter a genuine dialogue with the profession about a vision for road safety for the next decade. Road deaths and injuries are preventable and we have a moral responsibility to act where we know that measures can be taken.”

ENDS

For further information, please contact Robert Gifford: 020 7222 7732 (work)

Notes to Editors

The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) is a registered charity and associate Parliamentary group. Its charitable objective is: To protect human life through the promotion of transport safety for the public benefit.

This press release is also issued with the support of CIHT, RoadSafetyGB, Institute of Road Safety Officers, Association of Industrial Road Safety Officers, CTC, and Campaign for Better Transport, TMS Consultancy

The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) is a registered charity and an associate Parliamentary Group. Its charitable objective is "To protect human life through the promotion of transport safety for the public benefit". Its aim is to advise and inform members of the House of Commons and of the House of Lords on air, rail and road safety issues.