A bold target has been set to rid the Liverpool City Region ’s roads of death or serious injury by 2040.
The Liverpool City Region’s Road Safety strategy is being launched in a bid to curb the number of major incidents on the road in Merseyside, with a target of no avoidable collisions. The plan is being unveiled by Emily Spurrell, Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner and Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, to coincide with a major safety operation on The Strand in Liverpool city centre.
The plan is also focused on creating a safer environment for people to travel on foot and by bike and more children to walk or cycle to school, while also contributing to improved air quality across the region. The strategy is focused around four pillars - Safe Speeds, Safe Streets, Safe Vehicles, Safe Behaviour – and will be used by the partners who make up the Merseyside Road Safety Partnership (RSP).
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These include five local authorities, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, North West Ambulance Service, Highways England, and the health sector. It has also been shared with the Cheshire Road Safety Partnership covering the Halton borough, who will be adopting a similar approach.
Mrs Spurrell said: “Each and every death or serious injury on our roads is one too many. These road collisions devastate lives, families and communities. We are committed to ensuring everyone can travel throughout our region safely and this ambitious plan sets out how as a partnership we want to reduce the number of fatalities and casualties in the years ahead, with the ultimate aim that there are no avoidable collisions on our roads.
“Deaths and injuries on our roads are neither acceptable nor inevitable – they are preventable and that is what we are focused on delivering.” Metro Mayor Mr Rotheram added: “I want our roads to be as safe as possible for people to get from A to B, regardless of their means of travel.
“Whether you’re driving, cycling, walking, wheeling, or scooting, everyone has the right to feel secure while travelling in our area. While a big part of that comes down to people’s road safety awareness, there are lots of practical steps we’re taking to encourage long-term behaviour change in how people choose to travel in our area.
“It’s not only helping to protect our residents either – it’s for the good of our planet too. Every car we get off the road is a step towards our region’s target to reach net zero carbon by 2040. Working with partners across our region, I’m confident that we can make our region’s roads the safest, cleanest and greenest place to travel in the UK.”
Paul White, assistant chief constable, Merseyside Police said: “Merseyside Police is committed to improving the safety of our roads and reducing the numbers of people killed and seriously injured each year. Serious and fatal collisions have devastating effects for all of those involved.
“We carry out enforcement on our roads on a daily basis and we hope that this initiative raises awareness and encourages people to think about their actions and the devastating effect they can have on others. Merseyside Police will not tolerate those drivers who present a danger to other more vulnerable road users such as children and the elderly.
“We will work alongside our partners to ensure that everyone can travel across Merseyside safely.”
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