Road safety

Deaths and injuries caused through road accidents have a huge cost in human suffering as well as to the economy. Accident reduction is, therefore, a major priority for all involved in transportation and CSS, whose members are responsible for managing three-quarters of the national road network, have a key and leading role to play. CSS is working, both at national and local level, to achieve an integrated and multi-disciplined approach to promoting road safety and reducing casualties.

Where does CSS stand?

Despite continued increases in volumes of traffic on the roads, there has been success in reducing accidents in recent years and the trend is steadily downwards. However, more needs to be done.

CSS is committed to an approach that:

• Targets existing accidents
• Raises awareness of safety issues with highway users and seeks to modify behaviour
• Provides an inherently safer highway environment.

CSS believes that achieving further reduction in road accidents, particularly fatalities, must remain a national priority and works closely with a number of bodies including the Department for Transport the Highways Agency and the Police to achieve this aim.

Lack of funding, however, remains a brake to progress for many authorities. If we wish to save lives and suffering, we must invest more in safety through infrastructure improvements and maintenance, modifying behaviour through education and raising awareness and, in conjunction with the police, facilitating enforcement.

To improve bus services, CSS has urged the following:

• That, in view of the huge cost of accidents to the economy, the Government gives due priority to both revenue and capital funding for road safety in the next 3-year spending review
• That road safety targets for all authorities and agencies be aligned to help delivery of national and stretch targets for accident reduction.