Speaking at an event in London last week, Stephen Hammond MP, road safety minister, said that the Government has a “laser focus” on road safety.
Mr Hammond was speaking at an event organised by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), a Brussels-based sister organisation to PACTS.
He said: “Britain is a world leader in road safety. But while we can all be rightly proud of that fact, to my mind there can be no room for complacency.
“Road fatalities are not statistics – they are someone’s mother or father, brother or sister, son or daughter. They are real lives cut short. And that’s why this Government has a laser focus on road safety.”
Mr Hammond went on to highlight some of the steps the Government is taking to maintain the safety of Britain’s roads, including improving enforcement and education.
He said: “We’re improving enforcement and protecting the majority of responsible motorists through tough measures that target the reckless few.
“Better enforcement is crucial – but it is only one part of a multi-layered road safety programme. Better education matters too. The better the education the more we can help to enhance the safety of all road users.
“We mustn’t forget the important road safety role of local authorities, especially in terms of investment. I recognise that local government, just like central government, faces tough spending choices. But I also know that it is local communities, rather than Whitehall bureaucrats, who are best placed to design local road safety solutions to meet local road safety challenges.
“Improving the safety and ability of young drivers is a key priority for the Government. We have already taken steps to make the driving test more realistic – and less about jumping through a hoop.”
Click here to read Mr Hammond’s full speech.
No chance. I am thinking locally and know of three LASER schemes nearby where there won’t be a service this year. Children will miss out on vital safety education delivered in a fun and memorable way. So many services simply won’t support the schemes because they are under resourced and under staffed. Even emergency services are pulling out of the delivery. It is one of the few initiatives where year 11 pupils will happily recall their visits and what they learned. The schools are very upset and see this as vital in the child’s personal development.
Anon
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For one moment I thought the Government were planning to open more “StreetWise” and “Crucial Crew” centres. LASER = Learning About Safety by Experiencing Reality………one can only hope!
Right Road NW
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