HC Deb 19 April 1989 vol 151 cc163-4W
Mr. Bowls

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he proposes to take to reduce the number of pedestrian accidents.

Mr. Channon

I have today announced a series of proposals in a document "Pedestrian Safety: Making Walking Safer". I am placing copies in the Library. The measures include:

  1. 1. A major pilot "Traffic Club" demonstration for pre-school children, funded by General Accident, and covering some half a million children.
  2. 2. Proposals to amend the road hump regulations so as to allow them to be used more widely, and to help and encourage local authorities with area wide traffic calming and urban safety schemes.
  3. 3. A campaign this autumn to encourage the greater use of reflective material on children's clothing.
  4. 4. Enlisting the help of the motoring organisations in improving driver awareness of pedestrian safety.

Mr. Bowis

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of General Accident's support for the Government's efforts to reduce road accidents and road casualties.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

General Accident has supported the Government's road safety efforts magnificently. Its initiatives since 1986 have included:

1986

  1. a. National Children's Poster Competition—Winning efforts used as basis of 1988 General Accident calender.
  2. b. Roadsafe Family of the Year Competition 1986.
  3. c. "The Road's Story" Booklet.
  4. d. 100 sets of interactive video equipment.
  5. e. Interactive video programme—funded jointly with Department of Transport "Road Show".
  6. f. Advertising Campaign—£750,000.
  7. g. Support for the regions of United Kingdom not primarily covered by the Department of Transport—Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
  8. h. Reflective conspicuity aids.
  9. i. Gallup Polls—Driver behaviour (September)
    • Drink/Drive (December).
  10. j. Road Safety Officer/Department of Transport/GA Regional Liaison Meetings.

1987

  1. a. "The Road's Story" Booklet—revised edition—making 3.5 m in total.
  2. b. Welsh edition of "The Road's Story".
  3. c. 100 sets of interactive video equipment.
  4. d. Interactive video programmes—funded jointly with the Department of Transport—"Roadsafe Family of the Year" and "The Bike Show".
  5. e. Reflective conspicuity aids.
  6. f. "Roadsafe Family of the Year" competition 1987.
  7. g. Support for the regions of the United Kingdom not primarily covered by the Department of Transport—Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
    8. 164
  8. h. Video in support of PACTS—Children wearing suitable restraints and seatbelts in rear of car.
  9. i. 1988 General Accident Calendar.
  10. j. Road Safety Officers Conference—Exeter.
  11. k. Gallup Poll—Children/Parents Driver (August) "Dumbos and Yobs" Drink/Drive (December).
  12. l. "Are you prepared to be safe?" Leaflet giving advice for those going abroad on holiday.
  13. m. Road Safety Officers/Department of Transport/GA Regional Liaison Meetings.

1988

  1. a. "On the Motorway"—a new 'Road's Story' booklet.
  2. b. "Roadsafe Family of the Year" competition 1988.
  3. c. "Lorry Driver of the Year" competition 1988.
  4. d. Police National Motorway Safety Campaign.
  5. e. National Competition in support of Motorway Safety Campaign.
  6. f. Police Summer Conference on Road Safety.
  7. g. "Trouble Free Motoring"—a paperback by Roger MacDonald ex BBC.
  8. h. 25 more sets of interactive video equipment.
  9. i. Interactive video programmes funded jointly with Department of Transport—"The Collector" and "Streetsense".
  10. j. Gallup Poll on Motorway Driving.
  11. k. Support for regions of United Kingdom not specifically covered by Department of Transport—Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
  12. l. Research Fellowships—£500,000 for six projects. These cover various aspects of road safety, including road crossing skills for children, and driver behaviour amongst women, the elderly, and young drivers.
  13. m. "Positive Cycling" booklet—a joint initiative with the Department of Transport and CTC.
  14. n. Road Safety Officers/Department of Transport/GA Regional Meetings.
  15. o. Road Safety Officers Conference—Solihull
  16. p. Exhibitions—International Motorshow, Welsh Show, Scottish Roadshow and London Road Safety Officers "Eurosafe" '87.
  17. q. Launch of "FIRMS"—an insurance package designed to provide fleet operators with an incentive to include driver training as part of fleet management.

1989

  1. a. "On the Road in GB" for visitors abroad.
  2. b. "Highway Code for Young Road Users".
  3. c. "Lorry Driver of the Year 1989"
  4. d. Re-print "The Road's Story" and "On the Motorway.
  5. e. 25 more sets of interactive video equipment—total now 250.
  6. f. Interactive video programmes—jointly with Department of Transport. One based on "Highway Code for Young Road Users".
  7. g. Road Safety Officers Conference—Reading.
  8. h. Research Fellowships.
  9. i. Support for regions of United Kingdom not specifically covered by Department of Transport—Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
  10. j. Road Safety Officers/Department of Transport/GA Regional Liaison Meetings.
  11. k. Gallup Poll—Pedestrians.
  12. l. Pilot Traffic Club for pre-school children.