Scottish Road Safety Week is ‘step in right direction’

Derek Mackay, Scotland’s transport minister, has described the first Scottish Road Safety Week as a “real opportunity to promote ways to keep our children safe”.

Scottish Road Safety Week was timed to coincide with UN Global Road Safety Week (4 to 10 May). Road Safety GB coordinated a programme of activity across the UK in support of the Week.

Mr Mackay was speaking as he announced the publication of the Scottish Road Safety Framework Annual Report for 2014.

Talking about the report, Mr Mackay said: “Saving children’s lives and making Scotland’s roads safer has been the key message at the heart of a week of activities around the country.

“This latest Scottish Road Safety Framework Annual Report highlights areas where we have made real progress.

“Road Safety Scotland remains a key partner on the annual in-car safety campaign, which provides information and guidance to parents to ensure that, from the very beginning, our children are protected and secured in the most appropriate child restraint.

“We have implemented landmark change in our nation’s drink-drive legislation which has seen Scotland leading the way in the UK.

“Our investment of over £64m is improving safety for cyclists and we are encouraging councils to cut speed in towns and cities through our revised 20mph limit guidance.

“We have also delivered a number of education and awareness campaigns, including one reducing risk for motorcyclists taking left hand bends.

“Safe journeys to and from school are fundamental. Powers are now being devolved to allow legislation to ensure young people are safely buckled-up on these journeys and we have also launched a number of tools, such as the Klang road safety app, which give children hands-on, interactive learning experiences.

“All this is a step in the right direction but we must remain vigilant. Through our sustained focus and our resilient partnership approach, we will continue the long-term downward trend of casualties on Scotland’s roads.”