Emergency services and local authorities across the West Midlands have joined forces to create a new partnership which aims to cut the number of serious road injuries by 40%.
The West Midlands Regional Road Safety Strategic Group will share data and intelligence on the common causes of fatalities and serious road collisions and offer strategic guidance and recommendations for transport and highway authorities.
Among the group’s first challenges is to look at the impacts of Covid-19 on road safety, including issues such as speeding – and consider proposals for pilots in the region for e-scooters.
By 2030, it aims to cut the number of people seriously injured on the region’s roads by 40%.
The group, which will meet four times a year, will be chaired by independent charity, the Road Safety Foundation.
Its members include Transport for West Midlands – part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) – local councils, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire Service and Public Health England.
Cllr Ian Ward, WMCA portfolio holder for transport and leader of Birmingham City Council said: “Our transport system is undergoing rapid change, with an increased focus on public transport, walking and cycling and this partnership will make sure that improving road safety is at the heart of our planning and investment going forward.
“Safer roads will be key to transforming the way we travel across the region and this partnership illustrates a collective determination to cut casualties and deaths on our roads.”
Suzy Charman, executive director of the Foundation said “We are delighted to be asked to chair this group and look forward to working with such motivated and skilled people.
“We hope that our experience of developing proactive risk reduction approaches in line with the safe systems philosophy will help the group to deliver their 40% reduction target.”
Comment on this story