“Scotland’s road safety record is seeing some real improvements but more work can and must be done to continue this trend,” Scotland’s Transport Minister Derek Mackay has said.
The Minister was speaking as he welcomed publication of the 2015 Road Safety Framework Annual Report, which outlines key progress made in the last 12 months towards government targets in this vital policy area.
Key highlights in the report include:
- The continued success of drink driving legislation, introduced by the Scottish Government, which is leading the way in the United Kingdom
- Positive developments with seatbelts on school transport
- Dramatic improvements in driver behaviour on the A9 following the introduction of average speed cameras
- Numerous Scottish cities exploring the possibility of implementing 20 mph speed limits in city centre streets following the publication of revised Scottish Government’s guidance
Mr Mackay said: “The publication of this annual report shows we are doing the right things, at the right time, in the right place as we continue to press hard for improvements in Scotland’s road safety record. Preventing loss of life on our roads is a shared responsibility and Scottish Ministers remain resolute in our efforts to drive down risks.
“That’s why, through Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020, we are implementing a raft of measures alongside partners to keep us on track towards our ambitious casualty reduction targets.”
Further, the Review of the Framework that I commissioned last year has helped ensure our efforts remain as effective as possible, identifying three priority areas:
- Speed and motorcyclists
- Pre-driver, drivers aged 17 to 25 and older drivers
- Cyclists and pedestrians for further focus
“The Annual Report also demonstrates the vital work carried out by our road safety partners – their contribution is testimony to our collaborative approach. It is only by working together we will achieve the ultimate vision of a future where no one is killed on Scotland’s roads, and the injury rate is much reduced.”
The full report can be viewed on the Transport Scotland website.
