08/07/2008 - News In Brief
Call for safer road design
Safer road design could cut traffic accident deaths and serious injuries by a third over the next 10 years, a new group claimed today.
A modest investment, mainly in signs, lines, kerbing and barriers, could mean 10,000 fewer fatalities and serious injuries, according to the Campaign for Safe Road Design.
Such a reduction would save £6 billion a year, said the group which comprises road user, road safety and road design bodies.
The campaign's chairman John Dawson said: "Spending more money on road improvements will deliver economic and social returns as high as any investment in the economy.
"In addition, it will reduce congestion caused by road crashes, increase business efficiency as meetings and deliveries will not be missed by vehicles being delayed, and employees will be working instead of being in hospital recovering from crash injuries - or at worse dead."