The Strategic Director, Place, will present a report (Document “C”) which provides an update on current casualty levels and trends in the Keighley Constituency and on the Road Safety Education, Training and Publicity initiatives aimed at reducing those casualties.

Recommended –

(1)  That the information in respect of casualty trends and road safety activities in the Keighley Constituency be  noted.

(2)  That the evidence based approach to determine road safety priorities continue to be supported.

(Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Sue Snoddy – 01274 437409))

The Strategic Director, Place, presented a report (Document “C”) which provided an update on current casualty levels and trends in the Keighley Constituency and on the Road Safety Education, Training and Publicity initiatives aimed at reducing those casualties.

The report revealed that in 2016 there had been an overall decrease in casualties in the Bradford district and the long term downward trend had been maintained.  Information regarding road casualties in the Bradford district 2011 to 2016; road casualties in the Keighley constituency 2011-2016; road safety education training and publicity programmes and engagement with schools by wards was provided.

Following presentation of the report a number of questions were raised by Members to which the following responses were provided:-

·         Accidents involving motor cycles had increased in 2016; however, the increase was relatively small.  To gain meaningful information the statistics over a three year period would be analysed.  If the increase was found to be consistent action would be taken.

·         Measures would be undertaken using publicity and targeted intervention with the police to address cyclist and motorcyclist accidents.

·         Car occupancy accidents would be addressed through publicity.  The majority of incidents were mobile phone, seat belt or drink driving related.

·         Child casualty incidents were reported in Appendix 4 to Document “C”.  A breakdown by age of the other statistics appended to the report reported would be provided.

·         An on going campaign was being undertaken with the police and the Keighley Area Co-ordinator’s team to target incidents occurring around school drop off and collection times.  Members could request a police presence at specific schools if they felt problems were occurring.

·         The camera car was still in operation and did visit the Keighley area.  Parking on the pavement was a police matter and the Keighley Area Co-ordinator’s office could ask for their assistance in addressing that issue.

Members were urged to use caution when analysing the age of casualties as who was injured and the cause of that injury were often two separate entities.  Additional data streams, including that of the police, were used to understand if people were causing accidents through antisocial behaviour. 

Following a request of Members it was agreed that they would be informed of a package of publicity measures used to address car occupancy; cyclists and motorcyclists safety.

Members requested that they receive more inclusive data about incidents occurring in the area to allow them to make meaningful decisions and to prioritise the available budget.  They wished, for example, to understand if accidents were repeatedly occurring in the same locations or to particular age groups.  In response it was explained that the Road Safety Team analysed a considerable amount of data.  Traffic teams conducted similar analysis which could show clusters, times, weather, cause, people, age and post code and that data was processed into the information contained in the capital programme reports.  In response Members requested that they receive more information than raw data to understand the incidents which were occurring in the Keighley constituency. 

Resolved –

(1)  That the information in respect of casualty trends and road safety activities in the Keighley Constituency be noted.

(2)  That the evidence based approach to determine road safety priorities continue to be supported.

ACTION: Strategic Director Place

(Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee)