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Agenda item

Killed and Seriously Injured Report

To consider the Killed and Seriously Injured Report. 

 

Contact: Tom Dodds, Information, Intelligence and Insight Manager, tel 01743 258518

 

Minutes:

The Performance Intelligence Policy Team Leader introduced the report.  He advised that the report was an overview of the situation with a gradual increase in the number of deaths and casualties over a number of years.  The data included incidents on all highways within Shropshire including those controlled by the Highways Agency. 

 

Members noted that the methodology for recording accidents and deaths had been revised.  The consequence of this was that comparisons between the data sets were problematic and that an apparent increase in accidents and death rates could be due to the change in methodology.  A longer period of data collection was required before levels of confidence in decisions using this data could be ascertained.

 

The Performance Intelligence Policy Team leader drew Members attention to the peak times in accidents coinciding with the busiest times for road use at the start and end of the working day, Monday to Friday.  This was also the time when the most serious accidents were more likely to happen. 

 

Referring to pages 9 and 10 of the report the Performance Intelligence Policy Team Leader observed that nationally, younger people were the most likely to be involved in accidents. Shropshire had a higher proportion of older people involved in accidents and who were statistically more likely to be more seriously injured.  He continued that the County had a higher proportion of older people than the national average.  He added that people of all ages in Shropshire were also more likely to own a vehicle as there was less public transport. 

 

Members noted that motorbikes formed 3.5% of registered vehicles but were involved in 8% of accidents, with 33% of those involved killed or seriously injured.

 

The Environmental Maintenance Officer observed that the rural nature of the roads in the County was also a factor.  The majority of roads were classified as A, B and uncategorised roads, single carriageway, with hills and limited visibility common place. 

 

Members noted that there was a good working relationship between the Council and police through the Safer Roads Partnership.  Unfortunately, the Officer with responsibility for Shropshire was on long term sick leave and the area was being covered by an Officer located in another area. 

 

In response to a Member’s question, the Environmental Maintenance Officer confirmed that it was possible to identify accident hotspots and to prioritise these sites for additional resources.  He added that risk management work was constantly being undertaken.  Members suggested that a sustainable duelling programme for the main trunk road should be considered.  It was noted that many of the major roads through the County remained the responsibility of the Highways Agency. 

 

Members discussed the issue of lowering speed limits on roads and the enforcement of them.  They noted that many narrow rural roads had the statutory speed limit of 60mph which was completely inappropriate for them.  Members suggested that the process for amending speed limits on roads should be reviewed. 

 

Members observed that the A49 was used as a cycle route by riders undertaking the Land’s End to John O’Groats ride.  This was one of the main routes for heavy vehicles passing through the county and the lack of cycle lanes made it dangerous for cyclists.  The Environmental Maintenance Officer added that increases in the size of agricultural vehicles which used the roads were adding to the issues of road safety.  These heavy vehicles also caused maintenance issues for the roads they used. 

 

Members discussed the availability of resources for road safety improvement. The Environmental Maintenance Officer advised that funding came from the Local Transport Grant which was linked to the provision of statutory responsibility and left little room for manoeuvre for other projects.

 

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and Task and Finish Group be jointed established with the Communities Overview and People Overview Committees to consider road safety and associated matters.

Supporting documents:

 

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