The framework sets out policies that Government believes will continue to contribute to reducing deaths and injuries on our based on: Empowering local citizens and local service providers Equipping motorists with the skills and attitudes to drive more safely and Targeting enforcement and sanctions for the worst offenders Whilst the Government has not set national casualty reduction targets, the framework details national key indicators for: road deaths, serious injuries, road deaths involving motorcyclists, car occupants, pedal cyclists, pedestrians and drivers under the age of 25. These areas of particular concern accord with issues also facing Kent. The framework committed to producing an Action Plan which was published in September 2013. The plan includes a package of measures based on tightening enforcement for the worst offenders, as well as extending education and training options for motorists. Key elements include: Increasing penalty fines for motoring offences from £60 to £100 (August 2013) A new drug driving offence (January 2014) Portable roadside testing to aid/speed up enforcement Road safety messages in driver theory Increasing educational offerings (National Driver Diversionary Schemes (DDS)) to offenders as opposed to paying a fine Revised guidance for local Highway Authorities for setting speed limits A new post-test qualification A website providing a comparison of Highway Authority performance Kent County Council supports the Government’s commitment to addressing road safety as well as the introduction of measures, particularly extending the opportunity for practical training to improve driving standards. Local Highway Authorities and their Statutory Duty to Promote Road Safety Government has set legislation covering the responsibilities it places on Local Highway Authorities in relation to road casualty reduction. Kent County Council’s statutory duty to promote road safety is covered in the 1988 Road Traffic Act. Section 39 states: 39 (2) Each local authority must prepare and carry out a programme of measures designed to promote road safety and may make contributions towards the cost of measures for promoting road safety taken by other authorities or bodies. In addition local authorities must carry out studies into crashes arising out of the use of vehicles on roads, take such measures as appear to the authority to be appropriate to prevent such accidents, and in constructing new roads, must take such measures as appear to the authority to be appropriate to reduce the possibilities of such accidents when the roads come into use.
Strategic Framework for Road Safety Department for Transport, May 2011 www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategic-framework-for-road-safety Action for roads: a network for the 21st century, Department for Transport, July 2013 www.gov.uk/government/publications/action-for-roads-a-network-for-the-21st-century Road Safety Engineering Manual RoSPA www.rospa.com/roadsafety Road Casualties Great Britain 2012 Department for Transport, September 2013 www.gov.uk/government/publications/reported-road-casualties-in-great-britain-main- results-2012 Road Safety Research Report No. 124, Delivery of local road safety, Department for Transport, August 2011 Changing Lanes, Evolving roles in road safety Audit Commission, February 2007 ACPO Uniformed Operations, Policing the Roads – 5 Year Strategy 2011-2015 Association of Chief Police Officers, 2011 Strategy for Public Health in Kent, Kent County Council, 2007/2008 CFOA Road Safety Strategy 2013-16, Fire Officers Association, 2013 www.cfoa.org.uk/download/40522 Road Traffic Act 1988, Secretary of State, 1988 www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/39 Web Kent County Council www.kent.gov.uk Kent Police www.kent.police.uk Kent Road Safety www.kentroadsafety.info