Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has announced the launch of a public consultation on its updated regional road safety action plan.
Building on the refreshed regional road safety strategy, launched last year, the action plan sets out how TfWM, which is part of West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), aims to create a safer environment for all road users based on the Vision Zero principle that no deaths or serious injuries on our roads are acceptable.
The action plan, open for public consultation until 10 May, will focus on five key areas:
- Safe speeds: tackling excessive speed through targeted enforcement and infrastructure changes
- Safe vehicles: promoting safer vehicles and aiming to remove dangerous ones from the road
- Safe roads and roadsides: designing safer roads and prioritising vulnerable users like motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians
- Safe road use: encouraging responsible driving and tackling dangerous behaviours
- Post-crash care: ensuring swift emergency response and comprehensive support for victims of road traffic crashes
Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, Andy Street, said: “We saw 57 lives lost on our roads in 2022, a harrowing figure that demonstrates the immediate need for change.
“No death on our roads is acceptable so it’s important we get the Road Safety Action Plan right including the use of the safe system approach.
“Safety needs to be implemented before journeys even begin – think safer cycle routes, more enforcement, and improved junctions.
“Safer roads mean less strain on our frontline staff, a cleaner environment, and happier, healthier communities.
“This action plan will be the blueprint for tackling reckless driving and reducing harm on our roads.”
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TfWM will work with local authorities, emergency services, community groups and other partners before finalising the action plan for adoption later this year.
Actions currently in place include the integration of AI systems with existing sensors to identify potential collisions and dangerous driving behaviour and road assessments of more than 140km (87 miles) of the region’s road network.
A model for consistent enforcement of moving traffic contraventions impacting on safety, air quality and congestion management has also been implemented, as has a campaign to businesses focussed on better driving for commercial vehicle use.
This, combined with an upgraded third-party reporting system, could help West Midlands Police to take stronger action against traffic violations, according to TfWM.
Achievements and innovations in road safety will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations are now open! Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector.
