Agenda item

To receive a report from the Director of City Development in response to the Board’s request to discuss how the number of people killed or seriously injured in road traffic accidents (including road traffic ASB) can be reduced. 

The report of the Director of City Development provided the Board with a summary update to casualty figures submitted as part of June’s Best Council Performance Report and provided a progress update with regards to some key areas highlighted in the comprehensive ‘Casualty Reductions and Initiatives’ report of February 2019.

The following were in attendance for this item:

-  Cllr L Mulherin – Executive Board Member for Climate Change, Transport & Sustainable Development

-  Gary Bartlett  - Chief Officer, Transportation & Highways

-  Paul Foster - Transport Planning Manager

-  Superintendent Mark Jessop - West Yorkshire Police

-  Inspector Nick Berry - West Yorkshire Police

-  Chief Superintendent Steve Cotter - West Yorkshire Police

The following key issues were highlighted:

·  There was a welcome trend in the reduction of Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) but a worrying trend of KSI accidents which remained above target.

·  There had been an increase in fatal collisions in recent years.

·  Safety camera criteria was explained in the report.

·  Use of dashcam technology in the use of reporting offences.

·  Education, training and publicity and the importance in changing behaviour.

·  Role of the West Yorkshire Road Safety Executive.

·  There had been an increase in arrests for drink driving, issue of speeding fines and fines for not wearing seatbelts.

·  Use of laser speed devices by Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

·  Work in schools and early intervention work.

·  West Yorkshire Police had developed a road safety strategy with a local road safety plan for Leeds.

·  Criteria for deployment of speed cameras – whether they are fixed, mobile or the pro laser system.

·  The dashcam portal – there was a need to manage public expectations and there was concern whether footage would be sufficient to be used as evidence.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following was discussed:

·  Use of community intelligence in relation to speeding and how this should be reported.  This could be done online and via the anti-social behaviour portal and also to the highways safety team.

·  Use of pro-laser speeding devices and concern that there wasn’t enough trained staff to use these.  Some areas had used Ward monies to support this.  There were also constraints due to staffing resources and other competing needs.  There was an ambition to increase the amount of officers trained.

·  Positive feedback on the use of speed indication devices.  Criteria for use of information gathered from these to support fixed cameras varied due to speed limits and the type of road.  There were also other determinants such as the collision record.

·  There had been an increase in the detection of drink and drug driving particularly in young men.

·  Community use of speed indication devices and the use of information provided from these exercises.

·  Difficulties in meeting the criteria for mixed speed cameras and the review for this.  There were further issues in addition to KSI numbers for the siting of these cameras.  It was acknowledged that there could be better use and new options for mobile cameras.

·  The potential use of average speed cameras.  There were active discussions between the Council and the Police.

·  Reference to a site in Horsforth that had been the site of a KSI accident.  Local feeling was that fixed cameras would be welcomed at this location.

·  It was requested that the Board be updated with regard to the review of speed cameras by the West Yorkshire Casualty Prevention Partnership.

·  Methodology used when measuring speed in locations – this varied for various reasons including the current speed limit of a road.   A briefing note was requested for Board Members.

·  The target for 50% reduction was a national target.

·  Changes to the profile of road users – there was an increase in the number of cyclists as well as the general driving population.  There were also increased distractions to pedestrians with the increased use of mobile devices and headphones.

·  In spite of improved car safety KSI figures had not reduced.

·  Concern regarding the effectiveness of some speed devices as drivers change their speeds when they are present.

·  The Council as a highways authority had a statutory duty to analyse road safety issues and provide a programme of safety work.

·  Restorative justice measures and involvement of people who had lost loved ones or people who received life changing injuries.  This was something that was in its infancy and varying results had been seen so far.  Other restorative justice included Driver Improvement Schemes where offenders could undergo training instead of having penalty points on their licence.

·  Road safety around schools.

·  Concern that safety markings are not replaced on roads following resurfacing works.  There had been some problems with the current contractor but there was always a delay to allow new surfaces to settle.

·  Anti-social behaviour relating to off road bikes and quad bikes.  It was understood that prosecutions had been carried out following enforcement activity carried out in the summer.  There had been an increased resource for the Neighbourhood Policing Teams for this work.

In conclusion it was suggested that the following areas be given further consideration for the next time this item was presented to the Board:

·  Review of speed camera criteria

·  Provision of average speed cameras

·  Methodology for speed surveys

·  The Road Safety Action Plan for Leeds and outcomes arising from the plan and how they are measured

·  Possibility of inviting community campaigners to share their views.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.