Agenda item

(To receive a report from Steve Batchelor, LRSP Senior Manager, which provides the Committee with an update on fatal, killed, and serious injury (KSI) casualty figures for Lincolnshire)

Consideration was given to a report from Steven Batchelor, Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership Senior Manager, which provided the Committee with an update on fatal, and killed and serious injury casualty figure for Lincolnshire.  The report also provided data on trends, comparisons, and areas of priority.

The Chairman invited Steven Batchelor, to remotely, present the report to the Committee.

In guiding the Committee through the report, particular reference was made to: the substantial and sustained reduction in killed or seriously injured casualties in Lincolnshire; the formation and role of the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership (LRSP); the current LRSP activity services; the delivery of education, training and publicity to schools and colleges; and the impact of Coronavirus.

Appendix A to the report provided details of road traffic collisions in Lincolnshire for the Committee to consider.

During consideration of the report, the Committee raised some of the following comments:

·       Clarity was sought as to why more speed cameras were not used. The Committee was advised that the partnership operated in accordance with the Department for Transport, in that cameras were placed, and enforcement action taken in locations where there was a history of collisions and speed related offending; and that this had been expanded with some mobile operations, when there was an element of community concern.  There was recognition that there was an issue of motorists exceeding speed limits and that the introduction of the Safter Road Team within Lincolnshire Police would help alleviate some of this, and that it was expected there would be more activity in communities to identify speeding problems.  Officer also agreed that more needed to be done to explore how mobile cameras could be used in some areas where collisions had not occurred;

·       Thanks were extended to the LRSP for a comprehensive report;

·       The effect of road traffic accidents on local services and whether communication campaigns could be linked into local news stations.  The Committee was advised that most of the collision incidents occurring in the county happened on rural roads that had national speed limits, and that collisions were not always attributed to speed.  It was highlighted that the partnerships’ focus was for people to drive at an appropriate speed for the conditions and the nature of the road they were driving on.  It was reported that a package of information was always put together whenever a campaign was run, which provided all the different media outlets the opportunity to create their own story.  The Committee noted that there had been good collaboration with all BBC and other TV networks over the years.  One member suggested promotion through the County Council magazine.  The Committee was advised that this had been used in the past, but there was recognition that more could be done to ensure that the messages were getting out across all different media outlets;

·       Some concern was expressed that more regulation and education was required for EU drivers in the county.   There was recognition that in some incident’s, drivers lacked awareness and knowledge; and that some motorists  wanted to drive safely but needed some assistance to enable them to do so.  It was highlighted that the LRSP had provided information in the past, for example a leaflet had been created around drink driving laws and these had been printed in different languages.  The partnership had also conducted road shows in areas where it was thought some of the issues were more prevalent.  Officers agreed to take away the comments raised to see what action could be taken;

·       Use of protective cycling/walking equipment.  The Committee was advised that the partnership worked within schools providing both physical and educational training and that a quarterly newsletter was circulated highlighting the importance of reflective clothing and safety equipment for cyclists and pedestrians.  Also highlighted was the lack of spatial awareness of school children, and that school children were less likely to see the risks associated with their actions.  Reassurance was given that the educational training provided to schools was tailored to meet the needs of the young people. Reference was also made to the changes to the Highway Code and the hierarchy of road users;

·       The high proportion of collisions on rural roads in the county, with mention being made to the East Lindsey area.  One member sought advice as to what more could be done to make drivers aware of a particular hotspot in the East Lindsey area (East Keal). Officers agreed to look into the matter outside of the meeting; and

·       Whether any conclusions were derived from the statistical information provided in Appendix A.  The Committee was advised that the main type of information derived was relating to the types of collisions, different types of road users; and it also highlighted the key areas that needed more focus on in Lincolnshire, which were motorcycle safety and young drivers.

(Councillor A Dani left the meeting at 12 noon)

The Chairman extended his thanks on behalf of the Committee to the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership Senior Manager for his presentation.

RESOLVED

1.      That the Road Safety Partnership Annual report be received and that the comments raised by the Committee be noted.

2.      That the work being undertaken by the Road Safety Partnership to reduce the number of people killed and injured on county road be endorsed.