Making Roads Safer For Everyone

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar today launched a Road Safety Plan aimed at reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured in road accidents in the Western Isles.

The move is part of the Government’s national campaign - ‘Tomorrow’s Roads - Safer For Everyone’. The Government is aiming, by 2010, for a 40% reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured in road accidents, a 50% reduction in the number of children killed or seriously injured and a 10% reduction in the slight casualty rate expressed as the number of people slightly injured.

Chairman of Transportation Norman A. Macdonald said: “The numbers involved in fatal road accidents are small in the Western Isles but the impact on the community when such an accident happens is immense. The whole community is affected and we must do everything we can to reduce the number of serious accidents. The road Safety Plan spells out the measures that we should all be taking to make our roads safer for everyone and specifies a set of action initiatives aimed at covering all aspects of road safety with an overall goal of reducing the number of casualties on our roads.”

Driver related accidents account for 73% of the total in the Western Isles. Causes include speeding, drink driving, careless driving and driving whilst tired.

Engineering methods are the most effective way of improving road safety at recognised accident locations throughout Island roads. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has a priority list of Minor Road Safety Schemes throughout the Islands. These locations are assesses with regard to previous accidents, road alignment, pedestrian provision, visibility and vehicle speeds. The Comhairle has also approved a priority list of Traffic Management at Schools.

The Road Safety Plan has the full backing of the Northern Constabulary. Chief Inspector Angus Macleod said: “Northern Constabulary will continue to support Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in fulfilling their responsibilities for road safety by continuing to work closely with the Road Safety officer, Community Councils and the Department of Transport. The aim is to reduce the risk of injury to all road users in the Western Isles”.

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk