Agenda item

(To receive a report by Steven Batchelor, Senior Manager, Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, in connection with an update on fatal, and killed and serious injury (KSI) casualty figures for Lincolnshire. Further, it provides data on trends, comparisons and areas of priority)

The Committee received a report on the Road Safety Partnership and its Annual Report, which provided an update on fatal, killed and serious injury (KSI) casualty figures for Lincolnshire together with data on trends, comparisons and areas of priority.

The Committee noted that while the 'parent committee' for road safety was the Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee, it was being considered by this Committee because of its remit for scrutinising highways and traffic matters.

The report provided detail on all activities of the Road Safety Partnership, including, the improved accuracy of information on injuries due to the use of technology, the emphasis on reducing accidents to young drivers and those over 60; engineering schemes to reduce accidents; the provision of training courses for drivers; the increased use of community involvement to monitor and record the speed of vehicles; and the composition and role of the Road Safety Board.

Comments by the Committee included:-

·       An explanation was sought in connection with the recording of KSIs since 2014, which seemed to show a downward trend. However, you would expect the trend to have increased since 2014.  In response it was stated that the long term trend for casualties had declined and in future reports to the Committee the trend would be reported.

·       It was noticeable that while there had been a decrease in the volume of traffic using the roads, there had been an increase in business use particularly by commercial drivers and that there was a need to provide training to this group.  The Partnership was aware of the increase in business use during the Covid-19 pandemic and these drivers had been identified for additional help along with other vulnerable groups such as cyclists and walkers.

·       Reference was made to the ongoing effort to expanding the use of the Community Speed Watch (CSW) scheme to the City of Lincoln and larger towns throughout the county not covered by parish councils.  It was agreed that there were more vulnerable people in urban areas, but rural communities had been targeted, because of the nature of roads in many villages.

·       Child casualties had increased.  It was stated that child casualties in vehicles had been a serious concern.  It was confirmed that these casualties tended to occur to children not as pedestrians.

·       Police enforcement of defective vehicles was important.  It was stated that this had been identified as a priority by the Police with visits to repeat offenders.

·       An enquiry was made about what preventative measures could be taken to reduce driver errors such as speeding.  It was stated that LRSP were now providing digital driver awareness courses and were now actively seeking to expand its online presence with more digital content. The Road Safety Partnership already had contacts with the University of Lincoln and other further and higher education institutions.

·       In response to a question on whether any Community Speed Watch volunteers had been abused, it was stated that some volunteers had received abuse and this would be pursued by the Police.

·       Some areas of the country were very successful in reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured.  In response, it was stated that Lincolnshire was not doing anything different to those areas and was following best practice; Lincolnshire was also a member of the same national and regional bodies and shared best practice.

·       There was a need to remind communities about the visual state of some of the fixed signs as some needed to be cleaned and moved to different locations.  The Committee was advised that signs in need of cleaning were drawn to the attention of the local community.  The Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire had kindly funded the cost of the first fixed signs in the county and replacement signs could be provided by the Road Safety Partnership.

·       An enquiry was made if the reactive signs could be provided for 50mph speed limits. This request would be examined.

·       Reference was made to a specific example of reduction in the speed limit from 60mph to 30mph and whether a staggered speed reduction could be introduced instead.  The Committee was advised that the location would be examined to see if this was possible.  However, the speed limit at this location was based on national guidance and speed reduction options, like the provision of a gateway should be considered.

·       An enquiry was made if there was going to be an on-line version of the training for Community Speed Watch for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic.  The Committee was advised that the provision of on-line training would be explored; however, there was a need to ensure that any training provided was suitable in the present circumstances.

The Chairman thanked the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership Senior Manager for a very informative report and reiterated that the Public Protection and Communities Scrutiny Committee was the main 'parent committee' for road safety.

RESOLVED

(a)  That the report and comments by the Committee, be noted and taken in to consideration by the Road Safety Partnership.

(b)  That this Committee receive an annual report on the Road Safety Partnership.