25/04/2018

Gem supports global road safety week

GEM supports calls for more effective action to reduce deaths and injuries caused by speeding drivers

Road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is using the forthcoming UN Global Road Safety Week (8 to 14 May) as an opportunity to call for new policies and initiatives to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the UK's roads.

The focus this year is on speed, and what can be done to address this key risk factor for road traffic deaths and injuries.

GEM road safety officer Neil Worth said, 'Speed contributes to around one third of all fatal road traffic crashes in high-income countries, and up to half in low- and middle-income countries.

'We have seen the spread of 20mph speed limits in urban areas, and we would like 20 to become the norm on roads with high concentrations of pedestrians and cyclists. Of particular importance is a reduction of vehicle speeds on roads where children are at significant risk.

'Good engineering and robust automatic enforcement of speeds in 20mph speed limits are both vital to minimise casualties.

'Finally, it's worth remembering that as drivers (and riders) we choose our speeds. No one can tell us to exceed the limit or to drive at a speed that's unsuitable for the prevailing road and traffic conditions.

'So if we all take a few moments to think about the speeds we use, and reduce them where necessary, we can play our part to prevent crashes happening and to reduce the impact and the severity of injuries when they do occur.'