2017 road casualty figures reaffirm the need for the Mayor’s Vision Zero

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Transport for London has today released figures from the Casualties in Greater London report, showing that 131 people were killed and 3,750 were seriously injured on London's roads last year.

While the number of overall casualties fell by an estimated one per cent from 2016, these figures highlight the continuing need for widespread action to tackle road danger, and reaffirm the importance of the Mayor's bold Vision Zero ambition to eliminate all death and serious injuries from London's roads by 2041.

New internal reporting systems, used by police across the UK, have changed the way data is provided, leading to more reliable data for serious injuries and an increase in reported serious injuries. In addition, a new online self-reporting tool, introduced last year by the Metropolitan Police Service, has made it easier for people to report collisions and injuries, and led to a 35 per cent increase in self-reporting, making up more than 20 per cent of all casualties in 2017. These new ways of reporting collisions will give TfL a more in depth understanding of road casualties in London and help inform London's future safety initiatives. In July the Mayor and TfL launched a bold Vision Zero action plan to end the toll of deaths and serious injuries on London's streets. The plan includes the introduction of lower speed limits on TfL's road network, the transformation of dangerous junctions and joint work between TfL and the police to enhance enforcement activity. It also features a new focus on the most dangerous drivers, and a comprehensive bus safety programme including speed-limiting technology, new innovative training for all bus drivers and other measures. People walking, cycling or riding motorcycles made up more than half of all casualties on London's roads and 87 per cent of all deaths. The number of people walking who were killed or seriously injured in 2017 increased by an estimated 10 per cent, while the number of people cycling who were killed or seriously injured reduced by an estimated one per cent and motorcyclists increased by an estimated five per cent. Reducing road danger for people walking is a major priority for TfL, which is commissioning research to better understand the increase in pedestrian casualties in 2017. Later this year, TfL will launch a Freight Action Plan that sets out new actions to improve the safety of HGVs, that are involved in a disproportionate high number of collisions involving people walking and cycling. To further reduce road danger, TfL has also developed the world's first Direct Vision Standard, which rates HGVs based on how much the driver can see directly through their cab windows. HGV blind spots are a major contributory factor in fatal collisions involving cyclists and pedestrians. The standard focuses on the visibility from a driver's cab, directly tackling blind spots, and uses a ratings system to make sure that only vehicles suitable for the urban environment can use London's roads. The first permits under the system will be issued next year. Over the past three years, 63 per cent of cyclist deaths and 25 per cent of pedestrian deaths have involved a large goods vehicle. For motorcyclists, TfL is taking a range of action, including offering three free training courses in the capital, which boost rider confidence, skills and knowledge before and after Compulsory Basic Training. In addition, TfL is expanding the existing Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme accreditation scheme to include a standard for the motorcycle courier sector. This is alongside education campaigns, improvements to roads and junctions and enforcement against dangerous vehicles and behaviour to protect motorcyclists. As part of the Healthy Streets Approach, the Mayor is also investing a record £169 million per year on cycling infrastructure over five years, including new Cycle Superhighways, Quietways, and improving London's most dangerous junctions. Already 140km of new cycle infrastructure has been built since May 2016, with substantial improvements made for pedestrians too. The Mayor and TfL have also outlined the 25 corridors in London with the greatest potential for new safer cycling routes in the future. These have a focus on outer London, with potential corridors from Brentford to Heathrow in the west, to Dagenham Dock to Ilford in the east, and Highgate to North Finchley in the north. The Vision Zero ambition is fundamental to achieve the Mayor and TfL's ambition of creating Healthy Streets across London by reducing reliance on cars and encouraging walking, cycling and public transport. This is a central part of making London a greener, healthier and more attractive place to live, work, play and do business.

September 28, 2018 at 08:48AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT