·         IJ explained that this report is presented to the Working Party not for a decision, but for information and comment and is placed on the authority’s website as a Statutory requirement.  The report outlines the current Road Safety Strategy and proposals moving forward.  In particular the report details new initiatives with our Partners to move towards Safe Systems and Target Zero which moves away from preventing all collisions to preventing death and mitigating serious injury in road traffic collisions.

·         The collision data figures have been affected by the recent move by the Police to adopt the CRASH reporting system, which provides more detail on levels of personal injury – this means it is difficult to fully compare these figures to previous years.

·         Regrettably there was one fatality in 2017 and the trend of KSI’s is showing as upward from 2015.  Again this may be a result of the change to the reporting system, as slight injuries is showing as reducing.  Child KSI’s remain at a low level, are fairly constant with little change and child slight injuries are showing a downward trend.

·         Overall Torbay’s figures remain at low levels and we have not seen an increase in casualties that have been apparent in the Devon & Cornwall region.  However there remains concern over the regional levels and we continue to work with our partners to reduce these casualty levels moving forward.  

·         DM was of the opinion that the targets should be zero and that should be the number we work towards – IJ explained these are the targets that were set by Central Government up to 2010 and that any zero target is dependent on the bigger picture including emergency services etc.

·         JOD requested information of the location where these injuries were sustained, and for them to be broken down by Ward and/or specific road.  IJ confirmed this information is available on the ‘CRASH’ website – IJ to circulate the link to the Working Party.  The DfT verify this information with Torbay Council prior to publication.

·         SD advised that at Great Hill vehicular accidents may still be occurring, but due to no serious injuries go unreported and enquired with the loss of Road Safety and moving towards a digital platform, how levels of traffic will be monitored.  IJ advised Highways are working with partners to develop strategies with more of a digital focus but confirmed at present there is no resource to monitor this.  IJ to look at the website to determine how many hits there have been and add next year’s usage in the report.

·         JOD enquired how the figures were looking for this year – IJ confirmed it takes time for the reports to come through, therefore that data is not yet available.

·         IJ advised that Torbay does not really compare our figures with any other similar coastal local authorities – it is the DfT that compare per head of population and per billion miles travelled, which gives a better indication.  These figures are published nationally.

Recommendation

No recommendation required.