Bay MP Adrian Sanders is calling on the Government to sort out its approach to road safety in the face of apparent mixed signals given to local councils.
Mr Sanders is concerned that councils are not encouraged to identify or tackle potential accident black-spots until a number of injuries have occurred. There are further concerns that councils such as Torbay will not consider placing pedestrian crossings or traffic calming measures unless a fatality has occurred.
The case of 11 year old Jed Dorean-Mitchell, who was seriously injured crossing the road outside Cuthbert Mayne school in February 2008 highlighted the need for a pedestrian crossing but over a year later no progress has been made by the council in addressing the problems of the road layout in the area.
In the Government’s recent assessment of transport in the Bay, it was revealed that all 3 road safety targets were being missed, although the appointment of a road safety officer would, it was expected, go some way to solving problems.
Adrian commented: “The Government encourages councils to measure casualties and take steps to tackle black spots but this is often too late when a common sense look at certain junctions and crossings will show that accidents are likely. A more preventive approach could save hundreds of lives across the country.”
“All too often I have constituents highlighting problem areas and near misses but the council often says that as no one has died, they won’t do anything. Like so many other things a more pro-active approach is needed by our public services.”
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