Chapter 10: Road Safety
While road safety was not spontaneously perceived to be an element of a NTS, it was an important issue in virtually all discussion groups and interviews, with a number of different approaches to the issue being mentioned.
10.1 Drink Driving
A number of respondents were unhappy with current drink driving laws and advocated stricter laws based on a "zero tolerance" approach. In this way, drivers would not be allowed to drink alcohol at all when driving. Alongside this, some also suggested more punitive measures on those caught drink driving. However, some other respondents felt that the current law on drink driving is sufficient and that a higher level of enforcement is needed.
"You know if you give their licences back in six months I don't think that is strong enough, you have really got to stop for long periods of this, [so] they realise that this is not a good idea."
Visual impairment, urban
Some respondents felt that there needed to be greater awareness of drink driving issues. More than one felt that there was a need to show drink driving advertisements throughout the year, and one suggested that advertisements needed to be developed to be shown in pubs to confront people while in the act of drinking. A comment was also made that more needs to be done to make people aware that they can still be over the limit "the morning after the night before".
"Do you know what? This is really stupid, but I didn't realise until last year that - you know - if you've been out drinking the night before, then it still carries forward".
LGBT, urban
Certain respondents spontaneously suggested the need for drivers to be able to test themselves to see if they were over the drink-drive limit, although it was assumed that disposable breathalyser tests would not be cost-effective. The possibility of developing cars with in-built breathalysers that would stop drunk drivers using them was felt advantageous by a small number of respondents, although the possibility of circumventing them was raised (mainly through getting a friend to breathe into the device).
10.2 Ongoing Driving Skills
Most respondents were happy with the current driving test, and noted that the separation of theory and practical driving tests had been a positive move. There were also some suggestions that there should be more tests for older people to check on their driving skills.
"I wouldn't put it too early. I think 70 is a bit hard but it should be 75, 80 really, so I feel very sorry for people because I know a lot of people who have had to give up. [They] have been very brave about it and they said 'oh we must give up driving' and they said 'it is so sad because we are giving it up and we need the car most'."
Visual impairment, urban
"I'd be quite happy to reach sixty, sixty-five and sit a test again and if they said that I wasnae right then fine, do you know what I mean?"
22-40, male & female, low income, urban
One respondent noted it would make more sense for there to be a test based on skills for older people ( e.g. eyesight, reactions) rather than a full retest, although another respondent noted that there is no common age where the skills needed for driving may start to whither and suggested that all drivers should be tested at regular intervals through their driving career in order to pick up on any defects at an early stage.
10.3 Speed Limits
There was general agreement that the introduction of 20mph areas has been beneficial and that more would be welcomed, especially near schools.
There was more widespread debate about the motorway speed limit, with most feeling it was fine as it was or should be decreased. Again, there was some comment about the lack of enforcement of driving speed regulations and the need for an increase in this. Those who felt the speed limit should be decreased did so largely on road safety grounds, with the clear assumption being that a reduction in speed limits would lead to less accidents and safer roads.
"Whilst I don't mind putting the motorway speed for cars [up] I do agree with the '20's plenty'".
60-70, male & female, elderly, urban
The small number of those in favour of increasing or removing speed limits on motorways rationalised it as helping to increase traffic flow and reduce congestion. There was a view among these respondents that traffic accidents were primarily caused either by individuals driving too slowly, or by other drivers being irritated by slow drivers which then led them to reckless driving. One respondent did suggest that advances in car technology meant the limit could be raised.
"When the 70 mph came out it was for cars that didn't have the same sort of braking systems, crash systems, whatever have you."
60-70, male & female, elderly, urban
"The people who drive slower are the ones who cause the problems! They're going in the outside lane and they're doing 50 or 60 and you're doing 70 from behind and these things are doing 80 and you can't get out and it gets a bit frustrating. Not for me, mind!"
Hearing impairment, urban
10.4 Traffic Calming Measures
Most respondents were in favour of some form of traffic calming measures, although one respondent felt they were not, in the long run, environmentally friendly.
"It's slowing people down, or their traffic calming measures stopping people going on streets - they just push them onto the main arteries and they sit there. Just fumes into the air, for a lot longer."
Hearing impairment, urban
In general, many respondents were not positive about speed humps, feeling that they could cause damage to some cars. That said, most agreed that when they drove over speed humps, they would slow down. There was a preference for a single hump across the width of the road rather than two separate humps.
"I mean I had a car before… and there was no way I could go over any of these bumps without scraping the exhaust, a low-lying exhaust, probably. You just couldn't do it."
Hearing impairment, urban
"OK, I know they [two humps] are supposed to be a traffic calming measure but you know they don't help. I try and go in between them if I can."
60-70, male & female, elderly, urban
Some respondents were concerned about the presence of large lorries on the road, although this was primarily cited by cyclists and those with learning difficulties.
"Some of these big 20 tonne lorries take up more than half the road width. They're over the white line all the way."
Mobility impairment, urban
Individuals with learning difficulties were intimidated and scared by large vehicles passing at speed while they walked on the pavement. This had an impact on the confidence of these individuals to make some basic journeys on foot, and thereby affecting the quality of life and social connectivity of these respondents. Similarly, cyclists had concerns over being caught in the slipstreams of large lorries.
"My partner likes to cycle but I won't let him cycle to work in Dundee. There are so many big lorries and things on the road, and some of them move really fast, and it's just not safe. If there were proper cycle lanes that were separate from the road, I would let him cycle. I would even cycle much more myself then."
45-59, male & female, general public, urban
In regards to cyclists as road users, there were some comments that cycle lanes, where they currently exist, do not provide a safe environment for cyclists. There were queries over why other road users can use cycle lanes, why cars can park in them and so on. One or two respondents who had travelled abroad, most notably to Amsterdam, commented that there was much better provision for cyclists as road users in other countries. It was also apparent from comments made that most respondents were not aware of the difference between mandatory and statutory cycle lanes. Again, there were comments over a lack of enforcement of the law in relation to the use of cycle lanes.
"If they want to encourage people to do cycling, there should be a cycling lane everywhere."
Minority ethnic, urban
"They do the same with cycle lanes, park all over them, and nobody seems to care."
LGBT, urban
One or two respondents did not agree with cycle lanes at all, based on the fact they were underused.
10.5 Bus and Train Service
Respondents were positive about conductors on trains and many expressed a desire to see a return to conductors on buses. They are seen as being able to assist the driver, help passengers as needed, provide information to passengers and deter anti-social behaviour.
"I think the problem with public transport is when they got rid of the conductors. Some folk don't feel safe on the bus, if there's not somebody there to protect you!"
LGBT, urban
Having a conductor on each bus was seen as impractical by some, with one group suggesting that there could be 'roving' conductors who got on and off different buses during the course of their shift. There were also suggestions that conductors should be provided on specific bus routes.
It should be noted that anti-social behaviour was not seen as limited to public transport, with one respondent highlighting issues relating to car usage.
"I mean my sister a couple of months ago they flung a big paving off a bridge just outside Glasgow and it went right through her windscreen on the motorway, right through her windscreen."
22-40, low income, male & female, urban
10.6 Speed Cameras
Speed cameras were welcomed by most respondents and were perceived to be particularly beneficial if targeted at certain areas, e.g. traffic lights and outside schools.
"[At] every school there should be speed cameras."
60-70, mixed, urban
That said, some respondents noted that speed cameras only serve to slow drivers down temporarily at specific road points, although one respondent suggested that more use of "average speed" cameras would serve to remove this problem.
"That's what causes more accidents as well, people slowing down for these speed cameras and some people are unaware o' it or well they're no' concentrating."
22-40, low income, male & female, urban
10.7 School Road Safety Initiatives
Finally, many respondents who were parents were aware of initiatives such as 'Safer Routes to School' or 'walking buses' and praised these initiatives. They were felt to help instil road and traffic awareness skills at an early age and make drivers more aware of the need to consider safe driving techniques close to schools.
10.8 CCTV on Buses
Respondents generally were positive towards CCTV, seeing it as having a positive impact on the extent and frequency of anti-social behaviour:
"I think with these, with having the CCTV and all that, I think they've deterred quite a lot of people you know."
Minority ethnic, urban
Some participants perceived that CCTV would be particularly useful in combating specific types of anti-social behaviour, with one individual mentioning it in connection with drug abuse.
"I've been on a bus where people have been smoking heroin at the back of the bus and there were kids on the bus and stuff as well. They should put like CCTV or something in because you just don't want to see that on a normal day."
15-17, male, urban
In summary,
- Road safety was perceived to be an important element in development of the National Transport Strategy and respondents were in favour of a combination of different initiatives aimed at increasing road safety.
- There is a need to consider road safety for all road users and pedestrians and, wherever possible, to provide segregated safe zones for road users. For example, cycle lanes separate from main roads.