BRITAIN'S ROAD SAFETY RECORD

After noting dramatic reductions in the UK's road accident fatalities, this article discusses how road transport safety can be improved further and whether the Government is doing enough to reduce road accidents. Between 1981-85 and 1995, the annual number of fatalities fell by over a third. Most road accidents occur because of human error. Measures to reduce the effects of human error on the number of road accidents include: (1) the use of clear, easily identifiable road markings and signs; (2) encouraging drivers to reduce their speed; (3) the use of modern road surfaces such as porous asphalt; (4) the use of new planning techniques to reduce the potential for accidents; (5) ensuring that different types of traffic are directed on to appropriate types of roads; (6) the stricter enforcement of speed limits and vehicle safety standards; and (7) improved road maintenance and greater planning and coordination of road works. Although the Government deserves credit for some successes in reducing road accidents, it has more recently failed to initiate some schemes that could improve road safety. For example, many of the 280 small safety schemes that it announced in 1995 were later postponed or cancelled, the financing of many bypass projects was delayed, and spending on road maintenance was reduced.