WHAT MAKES FOR SAFER ROADS?
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• Reducing speed is the most crucial factor. The DfT says every lmph reduction in average traffic speed equals 5% fewer collisions.
• Making sure the road surface is adequate. The European Road Assessment Programme (EuroRAP) reckons anti-skid surfacing can reduce road accidents by a third, and the Road Haulage Association has called for the government to set local authorities minimum road maintenance targets.
• Installing concrete safety barriers. The Highways Agency is now installing concrete barriers in central reservations on all its new highway schemes they last longer and can stop HGVs from crossing over into oncoming traffic. Steel barriers, which were previously used, were not always capable of this.
• Introducing sheltered turning lanes. This is where traffic waiting to turn is separated from through traffic in a special lane, EuroRAP reckons this can reduce side impact collisions by up to 80%.
• Installing safer signposts and gantry displays. The Civil Engineering Contractors Association says many accidents are caused by collisions with street furniture such as streetlamps or signposts. Using safe, more flexible signs will reduce this. It also says IT systems linked to gantry displays have helped the Highways Agency warn drivers of dangers.