Road Safety Strategic Partnership Board - meeting minutes - 5 June 2023
Members
- George Henry (TS) (Chair): Transport Scotland
- ACC Williams (ACCW): Police Scotland
In Attendance
- Ivet Gazova (IG): TS Stats
- Hilary Sloan (HS): Police Scotland
- Colin Park (CP): Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS)
- Dr Oliver Harding (OH): National Health Service (NHS)
Apologies
- Stewart Leggett: TS
- Dr Graham Foster: NHS
- Robert Nicol: Convention Of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA)
- Walter Scott: SCOTS
- Iain Macleod: Scottish Fire & Rescue Service
Secretariat
Ben Mckenna – TS
Welcome and Introductions
The Chair welcomed the SPB members to the meeting, and proceeded with round the table introductions.
Agenda Item 1 - Previous Minutes and Actions
The minutes of the previous meeting, 17 November 2022 were agreed as an accurate record of discussion, all actions stemming from the last SPB meeting have been completed or are covered within todays agenda.
Action 42: TS to set up a senior level meeting with SCOTS and the team to keep momentum.
CP advised that he will invite the Chair to the next SCOTS executive meeting.
Action 47: Police Scotland and Transport Scotland statistics to discuss the need for standardising age group across road safety partners.
For older road user stats, Police Scotland use 65+ years whereas TS use 70+ years, which results in a discrepancy in stats. HS advised that Police Scotland agree to increase the age to align with TS.
Action 53: Police Scotland to look into stats/feedback regarding charges resulting from Highway Code changes and feedback to members at next SPB meeting.
HS provided an update to members on casualty trends 15 months before and after the recent Highway Code changes. The total casualties increased, with pedestrian casualties increasing by 11%, however, cycling casualties reduced by 15%. HS highlighted that it is difficult to provide more in depth stats until the new recording system within Police Scotland is introduced as the current CRASH system only records injury collisions.
The Chair commented that the way casualties, particularly pedestrian casualties, are tracking is concerning, highlighting that a lot of active travel infrastructure is cycling focused rather than pedestrian.
CP agreed that this is alarming and queried the reason for the increase, could the weather or the infrastructure be a contributory factor? Questions were asked on the profile of pedestrian casualties, whether they were young/tourist/travellers etc.
The Chair highlighted that when looking into recent fatalities, they are preventable and members agreed that this could be a behavioural issue.
The Chair agreed to discuss this with Road Safety Scotland (RSS) and consider having a pedestrian focused educational/behavioural change campaign.
CP agreed but noted that it shouldn’t be too active travel focused, given there is enough material on this.
It was also questioned if pedestrians/drivers are aware of the new changes to the Highway Code and how they should act?
Action Point: CP to extend the invite to the SPB chair at the next SCOTS executive meeting.
Action Point: TS stats to investigate if there is any trends in the recent pedestrian casualties, in regards to casualty profile.
Action Point: The Chair to have a discussion with RSS to consider having a pedestrian focused educational/behavioural change campaign.
Agenda Item 2 - Updates from the Governance Groups
The revised dates the governance groups will meet:
The SPB, OPG and LPFs will now meet in June and November (in that order), shortly after the two road casualty publications. The revised meeting schedule will ensure that we are getting the most out of these meetings and that there will be new road casualty data presented at each meeting.
Activity Reports from OPG & LPFs
The minutes and activity reports from the OPG and 3 LPFs were provided to members prior to the meeting. The OPG discussed the formation of Key Priority Groups, which will be covered later in the agenda.
OH raised that we should have more representation from Health, and suggested representation from Public Health Scotland for the SPB.
The chair advised that TS is always looking to strengthen our relationship with Health and TS Road Safety Policy team has recently met with Public Health Scotland. We will continue to liaise with them and will discuss their possible representation at the SPB, or possibly the OPG.
Action Point: Secretariat to arrange a meeting with the Chair and Public Health Scotland to discuss their possible representation at the SPB, or possibly the OPG.
Agenda Item 3 - Knowledge, Data and Training
Police Management Information Data
HS provided the latest management information data, highlighting that Police Scotland is continuing to monitor the analytical data to identify trends in activity and investigate how they can be prevented.
OH informed members of the ‘Burden of Disease’ study, which quantifies the difference between the ideal of living to old age in good health, and the situation where healthy life is shortened by illness/injury/death, such as road traffic collisions, resulting in death and serious injuries. The most recent report was published in 2015, where 11,700 years of life was lost due to road collisions.
The Chair expressed that this is a fascinating way to look at the impacts of road collisions. We always look at the cost road fatalities has on the economy, but it is interesting that this study takes into account the number of years of life lost, highlighting the impacts this has on communities, families etc. The Chair queried when the next report will be published. As this wasn’t known, the secretariat will take this as an action for the next meeting.
Update on 2030 Targets
IG presented casualty data from the 2022 Key Reported Road Casualties Scotland publication. An update was given on the four national casualty reduction targets to 2030:
Reduce fatalities by 50%
- Reduction achieved in 2022 (from 2014/18 average) - 0%
- 174 fatalities, which increased by 33 from 2021 (23% increase)
Reduce serious injuries by 50%
- Reduction achieved in 2022 (from 2014/18 average): 37%
- 1,759 serious injuries, which increased by 145 from 2021 (9% increase)
Reduce child fatalities by 60%
- Reduction achieved in 2022 (from 2014/18 average): 17%. This is based on a 3 year average.
- 3 child fatalities, which decreased by 2 from 2021
Reduce child serious injuries by 60%
- Reduction achieved in 2022 (from 2014/18 average): 34%
- 175 child serious injuries, which increased by 35 from 2021 (25% increase)
The following update was provided on the mode and user specific targets:
- 40% reduction in pedestrian KSI: 396 KSI. Increase of 57 from 2021 (17% increase) Reduction achieved in 2022 (from 2014/18 average) – 42%
- 20% reduction in pedal cyclists KSI: 181 KSI. Decrease of 25 from 2021 (12% decrease) Reduction achieved in 2022 (from 2014/18 average) –37%
- 30% reduction in motorcyclists KSI: 303 KSI. Decrease of 4 from 2021 (1% decrease) Reduction achieved in 2022 (from 2014/18 average) 29%
- 20% reduction in 70+ KSI: 278 KSI. Increase of 63 from 2021 (29% increase) Reduction achieved in 2022 (from 2014/18 average) – 19%
- 70% reduction in 17-25 KSI: 322 KSI. Increase of 33 from 2021 (11% increase) Reduction achieved in 2022 (from 2014/18 average) – 41%
IG also shared a map which showed the location of each fatality and serious injury that occurred on Scotland’s roads in 2022, which also detailed the mode of transport.
ACCW highlighted the recent pedestrian fatalities that have happened are preventable, and members agreed that it may be down to behavioural issues.
The Chair highlighted that although all modes are a priority, we may have to make difficult decision on what modes we are prioritising via our educational campaigns.
ACCW commented that drink and drug driving is still an area for concern with over 50% of drug wipes coming back as positive. We may need to look at our comms strategy, for example, older road users may be educated by their family rather than through campaigns. It was queried that certain campaigns are always ran at the same time of year and if this has an impact on engagement.
HS added that driving the morning after taking illegal substances can still result in a positive drug wipe and any campaign would need to take cognisance of that too.
CP asked, if budgets are tight, should we look to run a general road safety campaign rather than specific campaigns to get people talking and thinking about road safety?
The Chair advised that he will liaise with RSS to pull together a paper to display what campaigns RSS will look to prioritise and why.
The Chair highlighted that although traffic levels are returning to near normal, people are not using public transport as much as pre pandemic levels, adding that it would be interesting to see if the casualties are happening with people that don’t drive as much or the people that are doing more miles.
CP added that it would be interesting to see if the age of a car, such as any vehicle defects, is a factor in road traffic collisions, or is it all behavioural.
Action Point: Secretariat to find out when the next ‘Burden of Disease’ report will be published.
Action point: Secretariat to share IG’s presentation and map with members.
Action Point: Chair/secretariat to liaise with RSS to pull together a paper to display what campaigns RSS will look to prioritise in 2023/24 and why.
Action Point: IG to provide stats at the next meeting on the age of cars and any vehicle defects reported in the 2022 casualties.
Action Point: Road authorities to investigate the increase in pedestrian casualties within their respective areas.
Agenda Item 4 - Funding
Road Safety Framework Fund
The fund for 2023/24 closed on 9 April with a total of 9 applications received. After being reviewed by the OPG and SPB, the following five projects were approved for funding:
- RoSPA – ScORSA (Framework Fund)
- Scottish Safety Camera Programme - Distracted Driver Technology Trial (Framework Fund)
- Cycling Scotland - Vulnerable Road User Awareness Training (Evaluation Fund)
- Police Scotland – Senior Driver – Fitness to Drive Assessments (FTDA) (Framework Fund)
- Agilysis Limited - Safe System Training and Capacity Building (Framework Fund)
The Chair highlighted that the five projects are subject to budgets being approved within the Scottish Government (SG).
Safe System Training & Education
The Chair highlighted that the Safe System Training was approved for funding. It was identified at all Governance Groups that there is a real lack of knowledge and skill set around Safe System delivery and there is nothing like this available, despite certain nations delivering Safe System for a large number of years. The development of this training & education alongside the completion of a Safe System manual would see Scotland being the first country in the world to ever have one. This will be available to all road safety professionals specific to Scotland’s needs and will continue to be available post funding.
The Chair advised that we may have additional capital moneys for 2023/24 which would need to have a focus on active travel, and queried if this should target pedestrians, given the recent increase in pedestrian casualties?
CP emphasised the support from local government, and would welcome adding this to the Road Safety Improvement Fund. CP raised concerns on how this will be allocated to road authorities fairly, if we focused on implementing pedestrian schemes. Concerns were also raised about timings and queried if road authorities could implement the schemes by the end of the financial year, highlighting the sooner the money gets out, the better.
Road Safety Improvement Fund (RSIF)
The Chair advised a RSIF is progressing for 2023/24 with an initial proposed budget of £7.5 million. TS has engaged with all 32 local authorities at meetings in May, to update them on the proposed steps for the RSIF for 23/24 and the proposed budget. Grant offer letters are expected to be issued to local authorities in the coming weeks.
On receipt of completed project templates, members will be provided with an overview of the types of Safe System measures that local authorities are taking forward.
Action Point: Secretariat to send paper to SPB members on the types of Safe System measures that local authorities are taking forward through the RSIF.
Agenda Item 5 - Delivery Plan Progress and Commitments
Delivery Plan - Progress and Development
An update was provided on all the deliverables contained in the 2022/23 Delivery Plan that were red (11) and amber (9) as of the 31st March 2023. Of the amber deliverables, 4 have now been complete, 4 part complete and 1 not complete.
Due to the pause in spending, no actions were carried out in 22/23 on educational campaigns by RSS. In regards to this, the Chair will speak to CP to discuss the resources local authorities have, particularly for delivering campaigns.
The Chair also noted that we will liaise with Public Health Scotland to discuss the following deliverable that was red: We will work with health colleagues, to better understand the impact that road casualties have on the health service.
National Strategy for 20 mph
The Chair advised that the Strategy continues to make good progress. The SG is supporting local authorities with an additional £1.4 million in funding to undertake the necessary assessments to identify the number of roads affected and the financial implications. This work is scheduled to conclude in Spring 2023. Around half of local authorities have sent their road assessments.
Highland Council agreed to become an early adopter of the strategy and this will allow us to assess the impacts of the road criteria and promotion of 20 mph ahead of the wider roll out.
The SG Marketing and Insight Unit has been conducting research to enable the development of a national campaign that will focus on promoting the benefits of lower speeds and encourage behaviour change pre and post implementation.
CP asked about the local authorities that have not returned their road assessments and advised that this can be chased via the SCOTS network.
Road Traffic Fatality Research (RTFR)
TS has been working in partnership with Police Scotland to scope and establish a database which is now enabling Police Scotland analysts to undertake RTFR. The findings of this research will allow pre-emptive action to be taken focusing partnership efforts in the right places, with the aim of influencing the outcome of future collisions that have similar characteristics, leading to a more proactive/preventative approach. The chair advised that this work is progressing well.
Risk Register
The Chair sought the views on the current risk to the framework and the scoring of each.
When discussing the risk on Transport Scotland Road Safety Policy team not being adequately resourced, members agreed to add in the resources of other partners as well, such as Police Scotland.
When discussing the risk that if partners budgets are reduced this may subsequently impact on the delivery of framework funded projects beyond 2022, it was agreed to add in all road safety initiatives and not just that of the framework.
Partner Updates
CP advised that the additional funding such as the RSIF is welcomed, but highlighted that a phenomenal amount of funding is required for road authorities to deliver the National Strategy for 20 mph and other road safety issues such as pot holes etc, noting that it’s a challenging time for budgets/investments ahead.
HS provided an update on the recent campaigns that Police Scotland has ran:
- National Mobile Phone campaign – 221 offences detected
- Speeding campaign – 2,357 offences detected
- Motorcycle campaign - Ongoing until 29 September
- Supported Project EDWARD – 15th - 19th May
Action Point: Secretariat to share with CP what local authorities have not completed their road assessment for 20s so CP can raise this through the SCOTS network.
Action Point: The Chair and CP to discuss the resources local authorities have, particularly for delivering local campaigns for 20mph.
Action Point: Secretariat to arrange meeting with Public Health Scotland to discuss the following deliverable: We will work with health colleagues, to better understand the impact that road casualties have on the health service.
Action Point: Secretariat to update the second risk to include other partners resources.
Action Point: Secretariat to update the third risk to include all road safety initiatives and not just that of the framework, when discussing cuts in road safety budgets.
Agenda Item 6 - Key Priority Groups
The Chair highlighted that the OPG discussed the formation of Key Priority Group. The proposed groups were on; Age, Vulnerable Road Users and Driver Behaviour & Enforcement. The current motorcycle priority group will also continue to meet.
CP queried if all three Key Priority Groups could be standardised into one group, as organisations may not have the resource to attend, as many are proposed to represent all three groups and are also a member of the OPG and/or LPFs. CP also noted that one group will likely get a higher level of representation at respective organisations, whereas they may not have the time to attend all three. Should subgroups be required, these can be set up to conduct a deeper dive in to specific areas.
Action Point: Chair to discuss the formation of the Key Priority Groups with the OPG and query if one group will suffice or if the original proposal of three groups should go ahead.
Agenda Item 7 - AOB & Next Meeting
ACCW advised that he is leaving his role as Assistant Chief Constable for Operational Support later this year.
The Chair thanked ACCW for his contributions to the SPB and to road safety and wished him well in his new endeavour.
OH requested that TS engage with ‘Community Planning Partnership’ and ‘Community Safety Partnership’ and discuss possible membership of the OPG and/or LPFs. OH emphasised the importance of feeding into groups that are already existing and strengthening relationships.
The Chair agreed but advised that ‘Scottish Community Safety Network’ is already a member of the OPG.
Action Point: Secretariat to liaise with ‘Community Planning Partnership’ and ‘Community Safety Partnership’ and discuss possible membership of the OPG and/or LPFs.
Action Point: Secretariat to share minutes with OPG secretariat, once published.