BRADFORD could adopt a Scandinavian model for road casualty reduction if proposals are agreed by Bradford Council’s Executive to adopt a new West Yorkshire approach.

First developed in 1995 in Sweden, Vision Zero revolutionised conventional thinking around road safety by taking a whole system approach and focusing on prevention of deaths and injuries rather than just road traffic accidents.

The approach uses five key pillars to reduce deaths and injuries including: Safe Speeds, Safe Vehicles, Safe Roads, Safe Behaviours and Post Collision Learning and Support.

The strategy now underpins the casualty prevention strategies of several governments in Western Europe and North America and is saving lives and preventing serious injury as part of long term strategies to eliminate road deaths.

 

Vision Zero will work with the council’s existing transport strategies including road improvement schemes, rollout of 20mph zones and Active Travel measures which encourage more walking and cycling.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority has agreed to incorporate Vision Zero principles into West Yorkshire’s safer roads capital funding from the Department for Transport.

The West Yorkshire Safer Roads Executive, West Yorkshire Police and the Vision Zero Board have signed up to putting Vision Zero in place.

Bradford Council’s Executive will consider adopting Vision Zero when it meets on July 5.