
The Question Time session once again proved to be a highlight of the National Road Safety Conference and sparked the usual lively debate.
The first questioner asked what road safety professionals should be doing to push road safety up the current Government’s agenda?
Jill Bissell, Wokingham Borough Council, asked: “Now that we have all ditched our previous cycle training schemes and replaced them with Bikeability, what will happen after 2015 when the current Bikeability grant funding comes to an end?”
Jim Fitzpatrick made the point that because the current funding comes to an end in 2015, that does not mean there will be no future funding. He said that with the high profile cycling is currently enjoying post Olympics and Tour de France, it is unlikely there will be no future funding for cycle training. He also added that Bradley Wiggens being knocked off his bike recently was "wonderful for cycling safety" (though not for Bradley Wiggens) as it proved that even the best cyclist in the world is vulnerable.
Jenny Jones replied with an emphatic “Yes,” adding that it is “blindingly obvious” that a small investment in road safety budget can deliver “great financial gains”.
The final question asked the entire panel what they would implement if they were secretary of state for transport for a day.
Jim Fitzpatrick said that he’d reduce the speed limit on ‘A’ roads, adding that he wished he’d tackled this issue while a minister in the DfT; Nick Ross said that he would investigate telematics; Chris King said that he would reduce the drink drive limit; DCC Suzette Davenport said that she would introduce targets to reduce casualties; and Jenny Jones said that she would make links between different departments, and stressed the importance of alternative, greener methods of transport.
Let us know how you think the conference is going on Twitter by using the hashtag #RSGB
The various things that the panel would introduce if they were ‘King for a day’ shows just how spectacularly lacking in good ideas the road safety industry is.
Surely the subscribers to this website can come up with some better ideas to reduce the number of accidents?
Duncan MacKillop, Stratford on Avon
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Well done to everyone involved, Nick and Sally an excellent event once again. Also the organising committee for a great two days, quality speakers, good food, refreshments and entertainment. Take a bow all of you!
Bill, Glasgow
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