Tag: road safety

World Sleep Day: Daunting data denotes dread for drowsy drivers

  • For World Sleep Day on Friday March 14, 2025, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) highlights the serious risks of drowsy driving, with over 430 people killed or seriously injured, and 1,276 collisions, linked to tiredness in 2023
  • RoSPA is working with the Fatigue Group, a non-profit organisation led by award-winning NHS anaesthetists, to provide advice to workers and their employers on managing the risk of fatigue, the importance of regular rest and recognising when people are too tired to drive
  • RoSPA also wants government to take actions including standardised tests for fatigue (similar to breathalyser tests), and public awareness campaigns targeting high risk groups such as shift workers
  • Spokespeople from RoSPA and the Fatigue Group are available for interview
World Sleep Day 2025

“If you’re tired, don’t drive” – that’s the message from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) ahead of this year’s World Sleep Day on March 14. The charity is raising awareness about the significant risks associated with drowsy driving, after over 430 people were killed or seriously injured, and there were 1,276 collisions, linked to tiredness in 2023.

RoSPA is working with the Fatigue Group, a non-profit organisation led by award-winning NHS anaesthetists, to raise awareness of the dangers of driving after working long hours. The Fatigue Group was formed after tragic incidents in which colleagues were killed while driving home exhausted.

The Group is continuing the work of the #fightfatigue campaign originally designed for NHS staff, although much of the advice will help anyone who works long hours or night shifts keep themselves and others safe.

These include the HALT principles, which advise against driving if you are Hungry, Angry, Late or Tired, and recommendations to take regular rest breaks at work.

Although the issue is particularly serious in the health service – with a recent Medical Defence Union (MDU) survey revealing that 90% of doctors feel sleep deprived at work – fatigue presents a risk across the entire workforce. That’s most apparent in physically demanding industries such as haulage and construction, but can also affect people putting in long hours at an office before driving home.

RoSPA emphasises that anyone who begins to feel tired when they are driving stop as soon as is safe and possible, and ideally try and find somewhere safe to sleep until they feel rested. Although two strong coffees and a 15 minute nap might help in the short-term, this should never be done more than once per journey.

RoSPA is also calling upon employers to ensure their staff are well rested and safe, for example by ensuring workers take regular breaks, and incorporating effective staff fatigue risk management in working patterns.

In addition, RoSPA wants the government to introduce standardised tests for assessing fatigue at the scene of road traffic collisions, similar to breathalyser tests for alcohol, establish a national registry of drowsy driving incidents, and run public awareness campaigns targeting high-risk groups such as shift workers.

The Fatigue Group advocates that healthcare organisations should have the same regulatory requirements for fatigue risk management as exist for all other safety-critical industries.

Caitlin Taylor, Road Safety Manager at RoSPA, said: “Drowsy driving is responsible for many serious and fatal collisions each year. Fatigue impairs driving ability similar to drink or drug driving but gets much less attention. This must change.

“Fatigue slows reaction times, reduces awareness, and affects decision-making, putting everyone at risk. RoSPA calls on employers, policymakers, and the government to act now by improving workplace fatigue management, investing in public awareness campaigns, and collecting better data on fatigue-related crashes. No one should lose their life due to preventable driver fatigue.” 

JP Lomas of The Fatigue Group said: “‘We have our own personal experience of the perils of driving while tired, having had colleagues die driving home after night shifts.

“Although not every journey ends in tragedy, the pressure on healthcare staff leads to many feeling forced to take risks, with research showing that 57% of trainees and 45% of consultants had experienced an accident or near miss driving tired post-shift.

“Working long hours without adequate rest breaks not only puts the patients they care for in danger – with evidence demonstrating that surgery performed at night or after hours is associated with higher mortality rates – but also other people outside of hospitals.

“With such a large number of tired employees on the roads all day and night, this is an urgent problem in the healthcare sector. We call for hospitals to provide dedicated rest time and spaces for staff.   

The so-called ‘hero’ culture where people continue working despite being exhausted for fear of looking ‘weak’ or letting others down, needs to be replaced by a safety culture where staff mitigate the impacts of fatigue with power naps and rest breaks.

“Our message is simple – getting enough rest is a necessity not a weakness, and could save lives.”

Nearly half of police forces record speeds of over 90mph on 30mph roads

  • RAC warns actions of a few are putting other road users at serious risk
  • NPCC roads policing lead: “We all have a responsibility to keep each other safe”

Almost half of UK police forces (48%) have caught motorists driving over 90mph on 30mph roads – more than three times the speed limit, new data analysed by the RAC has revealed.*

A Freedom of Information request to the UK’s 45 police forces also found that, of the 40 with data, almost all (90%) had clocked people driving at 60mph – more than twice the limit – on these roads. 

With the highest recorded speed on any road being 167mph on a 70mph stretch of the M1 by Leicestershire Police, the new RAC study paints an alarming picture of the speeds some motorists have been caught driving at.

Looking at the largest difference between the speed recorded and the posted limit, the highest logged speed was 161mph on a 50mph eastbound stretch of the A303 in Somerset.

More than half of police forces (23, or 58%) recorded drivers travelling in excess of 140mph. While most of these contraventions were on 70mph motorway stretches, this wasn’t always the case. South Yorkshire Police clocked a driver at 146mph on a 50mph southbound stretch of the M1, while Police Scotland detected someone driving at 148mph on a 60mph section of the A68 in the Scottish Borders.

But perhaps most disturbing of all are the speeds some people are prepared to drive at on 20mph and 30mph roads – those that are far more likely to have high numbers of pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users using them.

South Yorkshire Police recorded a speed of 122mph on a 30mph road, while North Wales Police logged a vehicle being driven at 88mph on a 20mph road. Both speeds are more than four times faster than the speed limits.

In total, six-in-10 police forces (24) have caught motorists driving over twice the speed limit on 20mph roads, with seven recording speeds of more than 60mph.

Government data shows speed is the biggest factor reported in fatal road collisions – it is a factor in 58% of fatalities, and in 43% of road collisions of all severities. In 2023 speed contributed to 888 fatalities, and 39,882 collisions of all severities.**

RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “Although this data is a snapshot, it shines a light on the incredibly dangerous actions of a few, that are putting law-abiding road users at serious risk. Thankfully, the police were on hand to catch these drivers.

“There is no place for the vastly excessive speeds that some people are prepared to drive. While some speeds were recorded in the middle of the night when traffic will have been lighter, this isn’t always the case – some of the fastest drivers were clocked at other times of day when they’d have been sharing the roads with many others.

“Speed is the leading cause of deaths on UK roads. We look forward to the Government’s forthcoming road safety strategy understanding what can be done to reduce such avoidable casualties on the UK’s roads.”

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for roads policing Chief Constable Jo Shiner said: “We know that some incidents of going over the speed limit can be genuine mistakes or errors but the speeds cited here are clearly drivers taking deliberate decisions to travel at excessive speeds, putting everyone at risk.

“Speed limits are set based on many factors including the road layout, what’s in the surrounding area and taking into account where there might be more vulnerable road users. Choosing to drive above those limits is reckless, selfish and completely unacceptable.

“We all have a responsibility to keep each other safe and do whatever we can to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads each day.”

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “One life lost on our roads is one too many and that’s why I’m committed to Vision Zero. No more deaths on our roads.

“Too many people are being killed or seriously injured and we need to act now. I’ve launched a Road Safety Action Plan and appointed the UK’s first dedicated road safety commissioner, Mat MacDonald, to make sure communities’ voices are heard and real action is taken to prevent more tragedies on our roads.”

The RAC’s study on speeding – one of the so-called ‘Fatal Four’ behaviours that cause most fatal collisions on the roads*** – follows its earlier work in January that identified a culture of speeding among some drivers in the UK.

Parent Councils call for safer roads in Edinburgh

PARENTS in Edinburgh have called for urgent action after new figures emerged it could take 25 YEARS to clear a road safety backlog unless  budgets are increased.

Parent Councils from 53 primary and secondary  school from across the city have written to all their MSPs and Councillors  calling for an increase in road safety funding, which they say is needed to  keep children safe. 

The Freedom of Information (FoI) statistics were gathered after a child was  killed on their way to school in North Edinburgh last year. 

In the FoI response, parent council’s discovered that, as of June 2024, there  are 96 red flag sites on Edinburgh City Council’s speed reduction list.

Shockingly, despite this, only 19 roads have been improved in the last five  years. At this rate, it would take 25 years to act on all the Edinburgh roads  currently on the list. 

The Parent Councils have now written to Edinburgh and Lothian MSPs and  City of Edinburgh councillors demanding that budget makers prioritise  road safety around schools. 

In that letter, they point out that it’s only a matter of time before another  tragedy occurs. 

The parents say that an increased road safety budget is needed to tackle  the backlog and ensure that future changes are made within a year of a  site being identified for speed reduction measures.

Another FOI response showed that, in 2023/24, the road safety budget was  £1.5m which was just 1% of the total road and transport budget for that  year. 

Kim Pratt, vice chair of the Davidson’s Mains Primary School Parent  Council, said: “A 25 year backlog in speed reduction measures is condemning every child  in Edinburgh to navigating unsafe roads for the rest of their school days. 

“No child should be risking their life when traveling to school and it’s  unacceptable that safety recommendations are being ignored. 

“We do understand that the council is under financial pressure but getting  children to school safely must be a priority. 

“The call from parent councils from across Edinburgh shows that this is a  systemic problem. Politicians in Edinburgh have the power to protect our  children by increasing road safety funding and by making road safety  around schools a priority in all future road developments.” 

Lynsey Houston, chair of Craiglockhart Parent & Carer Council said: “I know that since Craiglockhart parents first raised concerns about road safety, some of the children have now graduated high school!  

“A potential timescale of 25yrs is ridiculous but highlights the desperate need for more resources. After all, when we ask for improvements, we are  asking for our council and government to prevent a tragic outcome.”

THE LETTER READS:

Monday, 3rd February 2025

To all Edinburgh and Lothian MSPs and City of Edinburgh
Councillors,

INCREASE THE CITY’S ROAD SAFETY BUDGET TO KEEP EDINBURGH
CHILDREN SAFE


We represent parents of children who attend schools across Edinburgh and we are calling on you, as our political representatives with control over the City of Edinburgh Council’s budget, to increase funding for road safety.

Our children are being harmed on their way to and from school. Last year, a child was killed on their way to school in Edinburgh and we believe, in the current situation, it is only a matter of time before this happens again.

A response to a Freedom Of Information request has shown that, as of June 2024, there are 96 sites on the Council’s speed reduction list and only 19 roads have been improved in the Last five years. At this rate, it will take 25 years to act on
all the roads currently on the list.

This is unacceptable to many parents, whose children will grow up and leave school before changes are acted on. Our children are navigating unsafe roads now.

Whilst we understand that the Council is under huge pressure around funding, we believe that road safety, particularly around schools, should be more of a priority than it currently is.

Another FOI response showed that, in 2023/24, the road safety budget was £1.5m which was just 1% of the total road and transport budget for that year. You must increase Edinburgh Council’s road safety funding to reduce the backlog in speed reduction improvements and make future changes in a reasonable and responsible time period. We believe that, once a site is identified for speed reduction
measures, improvements should be completed within a year and the Council should be funded appropriately.

All road budget spending should consider how safety around a school can be
built into improvements.

We look forward to your response.

Yours faithfully,


Kim Pratt, Davidsons Mains Parent Council
On behalf of the following Parent Councils of Edinburgh:

  1. Davidson’s Mains Primary School Parent Council
  2. Gilmerton Primary School Parent Council
  3. Craigour Park Primary School Parent Teacher Council
  4. Craiglockhart Parents & Carers Council
  5. Canaan Lane Primary School Parent Council
  6. Flora Stevenson Parent Council
  7. Cramond Primary School Parent Council
  8. James Gillespies Primary School Parent Council
  9. Nether Currie Primary School Parent Council
  10. James Gillespie’s High School Parent Council
  11. Royal High School Parent Council
  12. Preston Street Primary School
  13. Clermiston Primary Parent Council
  14. Trinity Primary Parent Council
  15. Duddingston Primary Parent Council
  16. Dalry Primary Parents and Carers Council
  17. Chomhairle Phàrant Bhun-Sgoil Taobh na Pàirce
  18. Bruntsfield Primary School Parent Council
  19. Longstone Primary School Parent Council
  20. Blackhall Primary School
  21. Forthview Primary School Parent Council
  22. Stockbridge Primary School Parent Council
  23. Pentland Primary School Parent Council
  24. Leith Walk Primary School Parent Council
  25. Granton Primary School Parent Council
  26. Castleview Primary School Council
  27. East Craigs Primary Parent School
  28. Craigentinny Primary School
  29. St Andrew’s Fox Covert RC Primary School
  30. Fox Covert Primary School
  31. Gylemuir Primary School Parent Council
  32. St Peter’s RC Primary School Parent Council
  33. Oxgangs Primary School Parent Council
  34. Roseburn Primary School Parent Partnership
  35. St Thomas of Aquins Parent Council
  36. Frogston Primary School Parent Council
  37. Royal High Primary School
  38. Bonaly Primary School
  39. Holyrood RC High School
  40. South Morningside Primary School Parent Council
  41. St. Catherine’s RC primary school
  42. Kirkliston Primary School Association
  43. Currie Community High School Parents in Partnership
  44. Sciennes Primary School Parent Council
  45. Wardie Family Forum for Wardie Primary School
  46. St Mary’s Primary School Parent Forum Council
  47. Broughton Primary School Parent Council
  48. Abbeyhill Primary School Parent Council
  49. Corstorphine Primary School
  50. Gilmerton Parents Council
  51. Portobello High School Parent Council
  52. Ferryhill Primary School Parent Council
  53. St Ninian’s Primary School Parents Council
letter-pdfDownload

Letter to MSPs and Councillors from parent councils, sent Monday 3rd February 2025

Drivers and passengers in Edinburgh urged to buckle up on every journey

Road Safety Scotland and Police Scotland have launched an impactful campaign highlighting the potentially devastating consequences of failing to wear a seatbelt – urging drivers and passengers in Edinburgh to belt up.

Figures show that 21 per cent of those killed on Scotland’s roads over a five-year period were not wearing a seatbelt1 and research demonstrates that wearing a seatbelt reduces both fatal and non-fatal injuries in front and back-seat passengers.

Despite this, 11 per cent of drivers admitted to not always wearing a seatbelt in the front or back of the car, while around one in five drivers (18 per cent) said they don’t think it’s important to wear a seatbelt in the back.2

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “Fastening your seatbelt is one of the simplest actions you can take to protect yourself and others. In a collision, failing to wear a seatbelt can have devastating consequences – not only for the driver and passengers but for your loved ones.

“This campaign serves as an essential reminder to anyone travelling in a car: a seatbelt can mean the difference between life and death and it’s not just you who gets hurt. Make it a habit on every journey.”

The campaign stresses the importance of wearing a seatbelt at all times – regardless of time of day, length of journey, and whether you are driving on busy or quiet roads. It also reminds people that it is a legal requirement to wear a seatbelt while traveling in a taxi or private hire vehicle.

Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, Head of Road Policing at Police Scotland, said: “Wearing a seatbelt isn’t optional, it’s the law. Our officers will engage with and educate drivers and passengers on the importance of seatbelts, but we will also continue to take appropriate enforcement action, with those caught not wearing a seatbelt facing a fine up to £500.

“Drivers should also remember they are legally responsible for ensuring passengers under 14 are using their seatbelts, with fines issued for every child not properly restrained.

“The evidence is clear – seatbelts reduce injuries and save lives. Don’t take an unnecessary risk – wear a seatbelt every time you travel.”

The campaign will run across streaming services, cinema, radio, digital and outdoor channels.

For more information go to roadsafety.scot.

1 In-Depth Road Traffic Fatalities Report for the Years 2015-2020

2 RITS: Driver attitudes and behaviors tracker, Road Safety Scotland (September 2024)

RoSPA: Control your speed to save lives this season

Slow your speed to save lives, that’s the message from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) as we enter a period of wintry weather.

Caitlin Taylor, Road Safety Manager for RoSPA said: “The UK will is entering a time of wintry weather leading to travel disruption, which can pose unique risks to drivers and pedestrians – these risks are increased if someone is speeding.

“Higher speeds mean that drivers have less time to identify and react to what is happening around them, and it takes longer for the vehicle to stop, removes the driver’s safety margin and turns near misses into collisions.

“Driving at 30mph, vehicles are travelling at around three car lengths a second – one blink and the driver may fail to see the early warning brake lights; a short glance away and the movement of a child behind a parked car will be missed.

“With that in mind, and the poor visibility this season poses, it’s clear to see the tragic consequences speeding could have”.

RoSPA advises the following when driving in darker periods of the day:

Be prepared: As the wintry weather sets in, it is crucial for motorists to adjust their driving habits. The decreased visibility during early mornings and evenings demands heightened caution. RoSPA urges drivers to use dipped headlights, and ensure clean windshields, to be extra cautious when navigating poorly lit roads.

Control your Speed: Poor driving conditions and darkness increase the risks associated with speeding. The lack of visibility, compounded by higher speeds, can lead to devastating accidents. The Department for Transport (DfT) reports that in 2023, exceeding the speed limit was deemed a contributory factor related for 21% of all fatal collisions. In 8% of fatal collisions, driving too fast for the conditions was deemed a contributory factor. 1.

RoSPA emphasises that adhering to speed limits and driving to the conditions is paramount, especially when visibility is reduced, or weather conditions are poor.

Caitlin Taylor continues: “If you must travel during poor weather, I suggest leaving ample time for the journey, ensuring you can travel within the speed limit, and try to maintain a safe distance behind other road users.

“As we age, our ability to adapt to changing light reduces, which impacts how we see colours and contrasts in low-light conditions. It also takes longer for the eyes to recover from glare”

Driving in the dark – drivers urged to adopt defensive driving techniques

Motorists must adopt ‘defensive driving’ techniques this autumn as the clocks go back

Road safety expert, TTC Group is urging motorists to be extra vigilant from Sunday 27th October when the clocks go back.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) there is a surge in the number of vulnerable road users killed or seriously injured as daylight hours shorten. To help motorists stay safe TTC calls upon them to use ‘defensive driving’ techniques, which can be adopted through the winter months. 

TTC says that those most at risk are fearful of driving in low light, including older motorists and young drivers with low mileage under their belt. Knowing the dangers of night driving and what to do to mitigate those risks is essential.

Andy Wheeler, Training Manager for TTC Group, said: “As the days get shorter it’s worth reminding ourselves of the simple techniques which can make a difference to staying safe while night driving. 

“A higher number of traffic-related fatalities occur at night with fatigue being a significant factor in most cases.  Reduced visibility and inappropriate driving add to that risk, that is why we advise all drivers and riders to embrace defensive driving techniques.”

 DEFENSIVE DRIVING TIPS

  • Speed: It is safer to reduce your speed when driving in the dark, especially in unlit areas.  This will buy time to observe vulnerable road users and stop accordingly.  
  • Distance: It is harder to spot hazards at night so get into the habit of increasing the two-second time gap from the vehicle in front. Following too close reduces visibility and time and distance to stop.   Headlights could also distract or intimidate the driver in front.
  • Slow down: Take extra time to read the road for signs of other road users by travelling slower than normal. This also allows time for the eyes to adjust when travelling from well-lit to dark roads.
  • Lights: Ensure external lights are clean, in good working order and interior lighting is turned off. Be careful not to dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users by always using dipped headlights in urban areas or when approaching oncoming vehicles. Use full beam on all other roads, particularly unlit rural lanes, when the opportunity arises and you won’t dazzle other road users.
  • Eyes: Routinely have your sight examined. To avoid being dazzled by oncoming headlights, drivers can keep attention on the left-hand kerb. The rear-view mirror should be adjusted to reflect light away from the eyes and above all, let your eyes adjust to different lighting levels
  • Tiredness: Falling asleep when driving overnight accounts for 40 per cent of collisions in the UK. Prevent drowsy driving by ensuring business drivers take regular breaks every two hours.
  • Visibility: A dirty windscreen will increase glare from other vehicles at night and are also prone to steam up. Keep windscreens, windows and mirrors clean with a microfibre cloth, both inside and out
  • Stay alert: Remember other drivers may not be as cautious. Drivers should slow down more than usual at junctions and check side and rear-view mirrors regularly.
View of a pedestrian crossing in the city at night during a heavy downpour. Silhouettes of people with umbrellas in the headlights of the car. People cross the road.

Graduated Driver Licences could save 58 lives annually, says The AA

  • New analysis reveals life-saving potential of scheme
  • Survey shows passenger restrictions top priority among drivers
  • AA launches GDL mini manifesto

At least 58 lives could be saved annually by graduated driver licensing (GDL), estimates The AA as it steps up its calls for the system to be introduced.

Introducing such a system could also see at least 260 serious injuries avoided on UK roads.

The AA’s chief executive Jakob Pfaudler has written to Transport Secretary Louise Haigh to highlight the motoring organisation’s strengthened calls for the introduction of GDL.

It comes as The AA launches its policy on GDL. Among the measures The AA would like to see implemented are:

Passengers New drivers under the age of 21 would not be allowed to carry peer-age passengers, for 6 months after passing their test, with exemptions for parents/carers.

Seatbelts New drivers should face six points for not wearing a seatbelt effectively making new drivers lose their licence for this offence under the New Drivers Act.

‘G’ plate To aid police enforcement, new drivers under 21 should display a ‘G’ plate (denoting Graduate driver) for the first six months after passing their test.

Jakob Pfaudler, CEO of The AA, said: “Graduated Driver Licensing has been proven in other countries to significantly reduce road deaths and serious injuries.

“Figures show 290 people were killed in young driver crashes last year with more than 4,669 seriously injured*. Not only is this a tragic waste of life, but it contributes to the burden of high insurance premiums for young drivers. These premiums should fall when there is evidence of a reduction of young drivers and passengers killed and seriously injured.

“We are calling on the Transport Secretary to make simple, pragmatic changes to the licensing process so young people are better protected in their first few months of independent driving.”

New AA/Yonder driver research** shows most popular element of the AA’s proposed GDL is passenger restrictions with a third (33%) saying they would implement it over other possible GDL tactics.

The second most popular aspect of GDL to implement, if only one could be chosen, was ‘G plates’ (24%), followed by a logbook (18%) and heavier penalties for not wearing a seatbelt (8%).

Young drivers were considerably more likely to choose heavier seatbelt penalties as the one GDL element they would introduce (20%). In 2023, more than one third (36%) of 17-29-year old drivers who died in a car crash were not wearing their seatbelt.***

Edmund King, director of The AA Charitable Trust, said: “Support for GDL is high among drivers and their top priority would be to introduce passenger restrictions. Parents tell us that this would help them to restrict their teenagers from taking passengers or being passengers with an inexperienced driver.

“The introduction of passenger restrictions, would help mitigate the increased risk young drivers have to manage when they have peer-aged passengers travelling with them. A six month restriction is a small price to pay for saving young lives.

“There is a great swell of support for the introduction of GDL so this Government has a real opportunity to make it happen and save lives.

“The very recent inquest into the tragic deaths of four young men is a stark reminder that action needs to be taken to protect young lives, and it needs to be taken sooner rather than later.”

Sharron Huddleston, who formed the Forget-me-not Families Uniting group from those like herself who have lost loved ones in crashes, said: “Graduated licences are a crucial issue. How many more young people need to die before action is taken?

“Our message is simple – listen to us, listen to the experts, listen to The AA, and learn from other countries, who have seen a huge reduction in young driver and passenger deaths after introducing graduated driving licensing for young novice drivers. My daughter, Caitlin, would be alive today if action had been taken when the concept of graduated licences was floated years ago.”

* In 2023, 290 people were killed in young driver crashes last year with more than 4,669 seriously injured. Reported road casualties in Great Britain: younger driver factsheet, 2023 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

In other countries, the introduction of GDL has reduced death and serious injury from 20 per cent and up to 40 per cent. Hence if the UK scheme saw similar reductions we estimate at least 58 deaths and 265 serious injuries could be prevented each year.

**Yonder received 10,556 responses from AA members to its online poll between the 10th to 17th September 2024 Yonder is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

***Reported road collisions, vehicles and casualties tables for Great Britain – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

**** Gwynedd crash inquest: Shrewsbury teens drowned in river – BBC News

Campaign urges drivers in Edinburgh to slow down as 1 in 5 deaths on Scotland’s roads caused by speeding

The Scottish Government, including the Scottish Safety Camera Programme, is tackling speeding on Scotland’s roads with a new road safety campaign, asking drivers in Edinburgh to slow down to help reduce collisions and casualties.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, and Police Scotland’s Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan launched the campaign at the Traffic Scotland National Control Centre in South Queensferry.

With speeding contributing to 1 in 5 deaths on Scotland’s roads1, safety cameras play a crucial role in reducing speed and casualties, ultimately saving lives.

Global research shows that camera sites led to 42% less fatal or serious injuries over a four-year period, while fixed camera sites reduced the number of speeders by 70% in the same time period.2

Speeding increases the likelihood and severity of collisions and casualties. In 2022, there were 615 fatalities or casualties on roads in Edinburgh.

Transport and Environment Convener at the City of Edinburgh Council, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, said: “This is a really important campaign to ensure drivers here in Edinburgh and across the country properly consider their driving behaviour. By slowing down and driving more carefully we can reduce collisions and casualties on our roads.

“All drivers need to respect speed limits and always consider how weather and road conditions can impact their driving. 

“We want Edinburgh to be as safe a city as possible for all road users and pedestrians and this campaign is a good step forward.”

Nearly half (44%) of reported casualties on Scotland’s roads take place on rural roads, however because speeds are higher on these roads, they account for almost three-quarters (74%) of road deaths.3 

Research shows fatal collisions caused by drivers travelling at 65mph could be halved if the drivers slowed down by just 5mph.4

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, said: “No matter how experienced you are as a driver, collisions can happen to anyone, and the consequences could be devastating – for you, for other road users, and for loved ones. 

“We’re urging drivers to consider their driving behaviour and reduce their speed, making our roads safer for everyone.”

There are more than 300 safety camera locations across Scotland, placed where there is evidence of injury collisions and speeding and where they have the greatest potential to reduce casualties.

Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, Head of Road Policing, said: “Speeding is always a risk. It only takes a split second to lose control and it only has to happen once.

“A collision affects more than just you and your vehicle – it impacts your family, the victim’s family, emergency services and people who witness it.

“Everyone has to take responsibility to save lives on Scotland’s roads.”

Running across TV, radio and digital channels, the campaign delivers a strong message to drivers – You only have to lose control once. The message is brought to life in a thought-provoking TV ad highlighting the split-second moment before a collision from a driver’s point of view.

For more information about the campaign, go to roadsafety.scot.

Follow Road Safety Scotland Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter) (@roadsafetyscot) pages for more details.

City of Edinburgh Council slammed for allocating just £50K to upgrade ‘Deathtrap’ Junction

​Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans are calling on the City of Edinburgh Council to clarify how the funds allocated for improving the junction of Telford Road, Hillhouse Road, and Strachan Road will enhance pedestrian safety.​

Labelled ‘Deathtrap Junction,’ this is one of the busiest junctions in the capital, yet its pedestrian crossing facilities are woefully inadequate. The complex layout, coupled with fast-moving traffic, makes it dangerous and inaccessible for all pedestrians and nearly impossible to navigate for most blind and partially sighted individuals.​

The pedestrian crossings lack audible signals and revolving cones, with many in need of basic repairs. The limited protective barriers at the junction increase the vulnerability of all pedestrians, while Strachan Road is particularly hazardous, as it has no pedestrian crossing facilities at all despite the constant flow of fast-moving traffic.

The charities, along with local Inverleith Ward Councillors, are concerned that the limited budget allocated for improvements will do nothing to enhance pedestrian safety.​

Caroline Hedley, a Rehabilitation and Mobility Worker with Sight Scotland, expressed her concerns: “While we appreciate the Council’s acknowledgment that the junction needs upgrading, I am left very disappointed by the limited funding being allocated.

“I struggle to see how this will significantly improve safety for pedestrians, especially those with vision impairments. We’re talking about people’s lives here. This is a densely populated area where residents need to cross these roads to reach the only local doctor’s and then again to get to the chemist for prescriptions.

“With schools and a mosque nearby, it’s clear that upgrading this junction is essential, even if it’s costly and causes traffic congestion.

“People’s safety should never be compromised, and I worry that the Council is prioritising traffic flow over pedestrian safety. I have clients living close to this junction and I need to explain to them that it’s just not safe for them to cross on their own, which is unacceptable.”​

Local Inverleith Cllr Hal Osler (Lib Dem) expressed appreciation to Sight Scotland for bringing attention to the well-documented issues at the Farmers junction: “The Council must do better and prioritise projects like this, as providing safe, accessible crossings for the most vulnerable benefits everyone in our society.

“The funding allocated for this upgrade is far too low, and more must be done. While the Council claims to prioritise pedestrians over traffic, their actions don’t reflect this commitment.

“Ensuring that everyone can safely navigate this junction shouldn’t be up for debate—it’s a necessity. It’s great the Sight Scotland campaign has made the Council start listening, but it’s not enough, and once again, the most vulnerable are being overlooked.”​

Fellow local councillor Cllr Max Mitchell (Conservative) adds: “I have been proud to support Sight Scotland’s campaign, and while the inclusion of this junction among the prioritised projects is a step in the right direction, it’s also a clear acknowledgment of the significant safety issues here.

“Although I welcome the funding allocated to address some aspects of Strachan Road, I am deeply concerned that the £40-50k budget will barely make a difference given the numerous dangers across the entire junction.

“People with vision impairments cannot cross this junction safely, and by failing to address these issues adequately, we are once again excluding them from our community. Safety must be our top priority, and it cannot be compromised.”​

Craig Spalding, Chief Executive of Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, adds: “We recognise that a full upgrade of the junction will require more funding in the long term, but immediate interim measures—such as installing tactile paving, cones, audible signals, and light boxes, particularly at Strachan Road—are essential and must be implemented as soon as possible.

“There are blind and partially sighted people in the local area who we support who are currently not able to get about independently because of this junction. It is simply too dangerous to cross. Without basic upgrades, we’re risking people being left housebound.”​

Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans are urging people to join their campaign to push the City of Edinburgh Council to upgrade the crossing at Strachan Road, Hillhouse Road, and Telford Road.

You can support this campaign by writing to your local Councillor and calling for urgent action to fix this dangerous junction.

Follow this link to take action: https://sightscotland.eaction.org.uk/Fix-Deathtrap-Junction.