§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the measures which he is taking to reduce the number of road accidents; what is his evaluation of the impact of these measures; if it is his policy to increase the maximum penalties for drivers who cause death and injury to others; and what further measures he proposes to take to promote road safety. [119695]
§ Mr. HillThe new road safety strategy "Tomorrow's roads—safer for everyone" sets out the measures the Government are taking to improve road safety. The strategy was published on 1 March 2000 and copies are available in the House Library.
In terms of the expected impact of the strategy, new casualty reduction targets have been set. By 2010, we are aiming to reduce the overall number of people killed or seriously injured in road accidents by 40 per cent; to reduce the number of children killed or seriously injured by 50 per cent. and to reduce the rate of slight injuries by 10 per cent, compared with the average for 1994–98.
As the strategy document explains, the Government are undertaking an urgent review, led by the Home Office, of penalties for a wide range of road traffic offences, including those involving the death and injury of other road users. In the light of this review, we will decide whether penalties need to be changed to provide a greater deterrent against bad driving.