Transport for London (TfL) has won a Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for its program to make cycling, walking and motorcycling safer across the UK capital.
For nearly 30 years, HRH Prince Michael of Kent has played a leading role in supporting improved road safety, both in the UK and around the world, and his International Road Safety Awards recognize achievement and innovation in global road safety. Each year the most outstanding examples of international road safety initiatives are given public recognition through the scheme. At a ceremony last week, Prince Michael presented TfL with an International Road Safety Award for its groundbreaking work and promising results from its program for reducing death and serious injury. Adrian Walsh, director of the Prince’s Awards scheme, noted, “The judges thought that it was a first class program of action, well planned, adequately funded, and well organized with promising results.”
TfL research showed that approximately 80% of all those killed or seriously injured on London’s roads are vulnerable road users: cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists. Analysis of police collision and travel demand data led TfL to put in place a range of initiatives that contributed to a 3% drop in the number of people killed and seriously injured (KSI) on London’s streets (2,092) in 2015, its lowest ever level.
TfL’s projects included the launch of the Safer Lorry Scheme, the installation of special sensors at pedestrian crossings that adjust crossing times when large groups of people are detected, as well as the trialing of 20mph (32km/h) limits and average speed cameras on key routes.
TfL is now looking to go further and is working to deliver London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s plans to remove the most dangerous heavy goods vehicles from the capital’s roads by 2020 through the Direct Vision Standard. This is the first scheme of its kind in the world, directly addressing the issue of lethal driver blind-spots for trucks. Other measures include expanding the use of 20mph limits, introducing motorcycle and pedal cycle skills courses, as well as developing a world leading bus safety standard, which includes the latest safety technologies to help avoid and reduce the impact of collisions involving buses.
Leon Daniels, TfL’s managing director of surface transport, said, “We are delighted to receive this award which recognizes the hard work our teams have put in to reduce casualties on London’s roads. However, any death or serious injury is a tragedy, and our priority is to eradicate such incidents. Last year saw the lowest level since records began, but there is much more to be done.
We are working to reduce collisions involving all road users by creating more attractive, accessible and people-friendly streets, making walking and cycling safer, working with London boroughs to introduce more 20mph limits, looking to remove the most dangerous heavy goods vehicles from the capital’s roads by 2020, and continuing our road safety education and enforcement programs.”
