The city council of Glasgow, Scotland has launched a road safety strategy, with the goal of eliminating all road fatalities or serious injuries by the year 2030.
“Road collisions have an immeasurable impact on those directly involved, but also create a significant financial impact on public services. But concerns about road safety can also deter people from walking, cycling or spending time outdoors..” said Cllr Anna Richardson, city convener for sustainability and carbon reduction. “To build healthier, more active communities, it is essential that we design streets for people rather than traffic.
Studies have shown that human error is a major factor in serious incidents, leading the city to seek to create a “safe system” for the city’s road network. The city’s new Vision Zero approach uses a range of measures that have been identified as essential in creating this ‘Safe System.’ The measures are designed to minimise the likelihood of collisions occurring, while also reducing the consequences of such events when they do happen. The measures include: improved road safety engineering; enforcement; introducing safety cameras at key locations; initiatives that improve road safety around city schools; educational programs; cycle training; and road safety campaigns.
Plans are in place for a city-wide 20 mph (~32 kph) speed limit, car free zones around schools, implementing low traffic neighbourhoods, and extending the network of bike lanes across the city.
“No level of death or serious injury is acceptable in our road transport network. Our vision of zero serious or fatal incidents by 2030 is undoubtedly challenging, but achieving this target will make an enormous difference to the well-being of the city,” stated Richardson.