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Road safety Annual Report shows real improvement.

“Scotland’s road safety record is seeing some real improvements but more work can and must be done to continue this trend” said Transport Minister Derek Mackay today.

The Minister was speaking as he welcomed publication of the 2015 Road Safety Framework Annual Report, which outlines key progress made in the last 12 months towards government targets in this vital policy area.

Key highlights in the report include:

• the continued success of drink driving legislation, introduced by the Scottish Government , which is leading the way in the United Kingdom,
• the positive developments with seatbelts on school transport,
• dramatic improvements in driver behaviour on the A9 following the introduction of average speed cameras,
• numerous Scottish cities exploring the possibility of implementing 20 mph speed limits in city centre streets following the publication of revised Scottish Government’s guidance

Mr Mackay said:

“The publication of this annual report shows we are doing the right things, at the right time, in the right place as we continue to press hard for improvements in Scotland’s road safety record. Preventing loss of life on our roads is a shared responsibility and Scottish Ministers remain resolute in our efforts to drive down risks.

“That’s why, through Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020, we are implementing a raft of measures alongside partners to keep us on track towards our ambitious casualty reduction targets. Further, the Review of the Framework that I commissioned last year has helped ensure our efforts remain as effective as possible, identifying three priority areas – 1) speed and motorcyclists, 2) pre-driver, drivers aged 17 to 25 and older drivers and 3) cyclists and pedestrians for further focus.

“The Annual Report also demonstrates the vital work carried out by our road safety partners - their contribution is testimony to our collaborative approach. It is only by working together we will achieve the ultimate vision of a future where no one is killed on Scotland’s roads, and the injury rate is much reduced.”

Assistant Chief Officer Robert Scott, Director of Prevention & Protection, Scottish Fire and Rescue said:

“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) welcomes the publication of the Road Safety Framework Annual report for 2015.

“SFRS will maintain its commitment to improving Road Safety and further ambitions in reducing the number of people killed and injured on Scotland’s roads as expressed in Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020.

“This commitment will be refreshed and shaped by the recent Road Safety Framework Mid-Term Review 2016, in which SFRS played a full part. The priorities and areas for focus identified during this review provide an opportunity for SFRS to fully join in an outcome focussed and partnership approach to road safety.”

Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins said

“Police Scotland has worked closely with the Scottish Government and other key partners to produce the Road Safety Framework: Annual Report 2015. The Annual Report highlights where good progress continues to be made and the Mid-term Review has clearly identified 3 priority focus areas that will direct our collective activity towards making Scotland’s roads safer, as we strive to maintain performance towards achievement of the Scottish Government’s targets for 2020.”

The Annual Report can be found on Transport Scotland’s website athttp://www.transport.gov.scot/report/j419424-00.htm

Further information on the Road Safety Framework Review will be available on 23 March when the report is published on the Transport Scotland website. The Review report will set out priorities, outcomes, indicators and key framework commitments that will support progress towards Scotland’s 2020 casualty reduction targets and a Vision Zero for everyone using Scotland’s roads.

Notes To Editors

Notes to Editors

• With powers now devolved to the Scottish Parliament to legislate on school bus safety, Scottish Ministers intend to introduce legislation in the next session of the Scottish Parliament that will make seatbelts a legal requirement on dedicated school buses from 2018 for primary school children and from 2021 for secondary students.

• The Road Safety Review has established that the Framework remains a comprehensive and fit for purpose national road safety plan, and activity on all existing themes, priorities and commitments will continue.

• The Review identified that a refocusing of effort in three priority areas – 1) speed and motorcyclists, 2) pre-driver, drivers aged 17 to 25 and older drivers and 3) cyclists and pedestrians would see the greatest impact on maintaining the momentum in the long-term downward trends.