§ 17. Mr. Andrew MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further measures he is taking to reach his target of reducing road casualties by one third by the year 2000.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyOur short-term target is to reduce the annual number of road fatalities below 5,000, as well as to bring about a sharp decline in injuries. Since 1986 there has been a 5 per cent. reduction in fatalities and a 6 per cent. reduction in serious injuries.
Over the year ahead, we will be concentrating our efforts on vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, as well as on dangerous groups such as drinking drivers and selfish and aggressive road users.
Overall we have the best record in the EC for road deaths. We must now aim for the same position on each of the vulnerable road user groups.
Engineering, education, enforcement, exhortation and example will all play their part.