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Issue:- Sunday Night, 27 December 2015

Headlines and reports on this page = 3 news items.    Page - 6.

Brake disappointed with government's Road Safety Statement as a missed opportunity to save lives

BRAKE, who are a UK road safety charity and campaign group, who have expressed disappointment with the Department for Transport's over newly published:- 'Road Safety Statement' (replacing its previous Road Safety Strategy).  Despite calls by Brake and across the road safety sector for stronger leadership from government on preventing devastating road death and injuries following a recent increase in casualties, the Statement fails to include casualty reduction targets or a 'vision zero', which would make clear that the ultimate goal is to reduce deaths to zero.

International evidence indicates that targets help to spur progress in road safety, and increasing Governments and Authorities (including:- Sweden, Scotland and London) are adopting vision zero approaches.

According to the DfT's Reported Road Casualties in Great Britain Annual Report for 2014 the number of people killed on our roads rose by 4% last year to 1,775, while those seriously injured rose by 5% to 22,807 people.  Overall casualties rose by 6%, interrupting what was a steady downward trend since 110107. As national provider of support to bereaved and seriously injured road crash victims (through a helpline and support packs part funded by the Ministry of Justice), Brake is acutely aware of the terrible suffering caused by every casualty.

Alice Bailey, campaigns officer at Brake, says:- "We know from our work supporting devastated road crash victims that every death and injury sends out shockwaves of pain and suffering. We also know from international research and experience that there is far more the government could and should do, to prevent these casualties and enable everyone to get around safely and sustainably. There is some important recognition in this Statement of what good practice in road safety looks like, and the fact that road safety is an issue central to public health and sustainability and that by improving road safety we can make economic gains too. Yet we're disappointed that the government has failed to include casualty reduction targets, an ambitious vision, or more decisive action on issues like young driver safety, pedestrian safety or drink driving, all of which remain desperately important."

Brake welcomes some aspects of the Road Safety Statement, including the government's recognition of the importance of a 'safe systems' approach. However, Brake believes the government could go much further in implementing evidenced policy to ensure senseless tragedies on our roads fall again, and everyone can get around safely, sustainably and healthily:-

► Walking and cycling; Brake welcomes the recognition that road safety is a public health and sustainability issue as well as being about casualty prevention, and the inclusion of protecting vulnerable road users as a priority. However Brake believes the government should do far more to ensure nationwide roll out of traffic free cycle paths, area wide 20mph limits, and other measures to make roads more pedestrian and cyclist friendly.

► Mobile phones; Brake supports proposals for tougher penalties (4 points and a £150 fine) for using mobile phones at the wheel of a car, but believes this does not go far enough, especially as many 1st time offenders will be offered educational courses instead. Brake recommends increasing fines to £1,000, to provide a stronger deterrent, and for hands free phones to be included under the ban, in line with research showing the dangers.

► Young and novice drivers; Government plans to make improvements to driver learning and testing are not unwelcome, but research shows the introduction of a new system of Graduated Driver Licensing; long recommended by Brake and recognised as best practice globally; would be highly effective in reducing crashes among young and new drivers. It's estimated it could prevent 400 deaths and serious injuries each year if implemented in the UK.

► Drink and drug driving; Brake backs the provision of funding to support effective enforcement of the new drug driving law, but is concerned by the ongoing lack of action by Westminster to crack down on drink driving, which remains 1 of the biggest killers on our roads. Brake advocates a zero tolerance drink drive limit to make clear it should be 'none for the road'. See Brake's not a drop, not a drag campaign.

Do you agree with Brake, or are we going to far now?  Please do email your views and thought to us via our newsroom email address:- News24@SouthportReporter.com and let us know what you really think about this issue!

Did you know?

►  Using a hands free mobile whilst driving can be more dangerous than drink driving, Transport Research Laboratory, 2010.

► Graduated Driver Licensing; A regional analysis of potential casualty savings in Great Britain, RAC Foundation, 2014.

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Deceased estates notice - Lilian May Jackam

Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925, any persons having a claim against or an interest in the Estate of Lilian May Jackam (also known as Lillian May) Jackam (Deceased), late of Birch Abbey Rest Home, 55 Alexandra Road, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 9HD, UK, who died on 04/10/2018, are required to send particulars thereof in writing, to the undersigned Solicitors, on or before 24/05/2019, after which date the Estate will be distributed having regard only to claims and interests of which they have had notice. Churches Solicitors, 12 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7BL, UK. Ref:- 'T553015.'

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