Agenda item

Representatives from the Safer Roads Partnership (SRP) (covering West Mercia and Warwickshire) were invited to the Meeting to give a presentation about road safety and the County Council's role in relation to this. The SRP representatives had previously attended the Health and Wellbeing Board in February 2018 and Councillor Middlebrough, the OSPB's Lead Member for Crime and Disorder (and community safety), thought that the Board's annual Crime and Disorder meeting with partners would provide a timely opportunity to discuss the issue further.

The Cabinet Members with Responsibility for Communities and Highways and Officers from the relevant Directorates were also invited to the Meeting.

The Board received a presentation, copies of which were circulated during the meeting. 

Main Discussion Points

·       The RSP pointed out that speed camera signs were no longer in use in Warwickshire as they were costly, historic and not a legal requirement.  This was not thought to be an appropriate measure for Worcestershire, it was  important to be open and transparent with our communities and to use the signs as a means to educate, not catch people out 

·       Advance notice of the Council's road maintenance programmes would assist the RSP with their planning process for speed cameras and campaigns etc

·       There was a concern about the capability of older drivers using their cars to avoid social isolation and whether there were any educational driving campaigns targeted specifically at this age group.  It was confirmed that there were targeted campaigns and Age Concern for instance carried out campaigns with this age group. 

·       For the younger age group, there was a strong focus on social media campaigns, which were currently thought to be the most effective method of communication. The point was made by the RSP, that in order to be effective it was important that the various educational initiatives were  sustainable and consistent

·       The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) believed that focusing on changing driver behaviour would have a significant impact on reducing the number of road traffic causalities (RTC).  The PCC was working with partners including West Mercia Police, the County Council, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Fire and Rescue Service and the SRP on various educational driver education campaigns

·       There were also various campaigns at varying times aimed at cyclists and motor cyclists, the point was made however, that although campaigns were carried out in Worcestershire, there was a proportion of cyclists who lived out of County and so would be unaware of the campaigns

·       It was highlighted that poor driving at 51% was the highest causation factor of RTC

·       To date the use of mobile phones as a causation factor for RTC's wasn’t shown separately, but in future it would be possible to record it separately as the reporting model was changing

·       It was confirmed that mobile speed enforcement operated 7 days per week within daylight hours

·       The RSP highlighted that delays in getting amendments to Traffic Regulation Orders had a knock on effect on speed enforcement. There had been cases were TRO's had taken 2 years to obtain

·       Operationally, the RSP had a good working relationship with the County Council but strategically it was felt that the relationship was more challenging.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending the meeting and contributing to the discussion.