Leeds City Council has called on residents to have their say on the new strategy to eliminate road deaths and serious injuries in the city.
The council aims to tackle road danger through its Vision Zero 2040 strategy. Developed by the Leeds Safer Roads Partnership, the plan features five ‘Safe System pillars’ to address road danger. These are:
- Safe Behaviours and People – encouraging behaviours that help to keep all road-users safe, focusing on preventing speeding, seatbelt offences, drink and drug driving, and distraction.
- Safe Speeds – stopping people driving at illegal, dangerous and inappropriate speeds through street design, targeted enforcement, reviewing speed limits and education campaigns.
- Safe Roads – designing streets that put the needs of people above those of vehicles. That means creating streets that are safer for active travel, such as walking and cycling, and reduce the likelihood and severity of collisions.
- Safe Vehicles – raising awareness about responsibility for roadworthy vehicles, enforcing offences and considering how technology and design features can help to prevent crashes.
- Post-collision Learning and Care – raising awareness of support services, improving understanding of road danger and advocating for justice for road-crash victims.
The Safe System model is designed to consider the broader context of road safety and advocates for systemic change. The council added it requires everyone to play their part. While all road users will be encouraged to behave safely and legally, responsibility will also sit with those who plan and manage the transport system.
Commitments in the new strategy include data-led enforcement, working with communities and partners, and promoting a culture of traffic safety. Existing initiatives such as Operation SPARC, Operation SNAP, speed compliance activities and targeted road safety training will be further developed.
Furthermore, the council said the strategy reflects the Highway Code’s hierarchy of road users, which prioritises pedestrians and cyclists, and states that road users who can do the greatest harm to others have a greater responsibility to behave safely.
Cllr Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council executive member for infrastructure and climate, said: “This new strategy will transform our approach to road safety. We need to remember that behind every statistic a person is killed or seriously injured on our roads. Someone’s life has been cut short, leaving behind a devastated family, or their health has been adversely affected.
“Our vision is that by 2040 no one will be killed or suffer serious injuries on roads in Leeds. The strategy sets out our plan to achieve this and make the roads safer for people to walk and cycle. I am very proud that Leeds is the first city in West Yorkshire to adopt the ‘Vision Zero’ approach.”
There are two public consultation events taking place for people to ask questions and learn more. A drop-in event on Tuesday 22 March, 12pm – 5pm and an online webinar on Friday 25 March, 12pm – 1pm. The consultation closes on Sunday 24 April.
“This is a great opportunity to give your feedback and help shape our ambitious proposals. I would encourage everybody to take part in the consultation and have your say,” added Hayden.
