Road Safety Framework - Operational Partnership Group (OPG) - meeting minutes - 12 June 2024

Members

  • George Henry (GH) (Chair) - Transport Scotland Road Policy and Safety
  • Steven Feeney (SF) - Transport Scotland Road Safety Policy
  • Michael McDonnell (MM) - Road Safety Scotland
  • Keith Irving (KI) - Cycling Scotland Neil Greig (NG) IAM RoadSmart
  • Karen McDonnell (KM) - RoSPA
  • Tommy Keay (TK) - Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
  • Vinnie Fisher (VF) - Police Scotland
  • Stuart Colbron (SC) - SCOTS
  • Stephen Bridgman (SB) - Public Health Scotland
  • Lynne Mason (LM) - Road Haulage Association
  • Helene Mauchlen (HM) - British Horse Society
  • Anne Docherty (AD) - Living Streets Scotland
  • Chris Thompson (CT) - Living Streets Scotland

In Attendance

  • Andrew Paterson (AP) - Transport Scotland Statistics
  • Lisa Fallon (LF) - Transport Scotland Active Travel
  • Caroline Brearley (CB) - Scottish Ambulance Service
  • Michelle Van der stighelen (MV) - Transport Scotland Safety Camera Programme

Secretariat

  • Kieren Green (KG) - Transport Scotland Road Safety Policy
  • Ben McKenna (BM) (Observing) - Transport Scotland Road Safety Policy

Apologies

  • Stuart Wilson (SW) - Transport Scotland Safety and Development
  • Fay McNicol (FM) - Scottish Ambulance Service
  • Nina Day (ND) - Health and Safety Executive
  • Alistair Ross (AR) - Association of British Insurers
  • Alan Martin (AM) - Transport Scotland Active Travel
  • Dave Shea (DS) - Scottish Community Safety Network
  • Steve Wykes (SWy) - Motorcycle Action Group

Welcome and Introductions

  • The Chair welcomed the OPG members to the meeting, and proceeded with round the table introductions.
  • The group welcomed new representation from Police Scotland and Living Streets Scotland as well Public Health Scotland, who have recently become members of the group.

Recent Developments

Recently Published Statistics

  • The Key Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2023 statistics was published on 29 May. This showed that 155 people lost their lives as a result of a road collision.
  • The stats show that when compared to 2022 there has been a 32% reduction in fatalities on the trunk road network but an increase of 6% on local roads.

Tracking for 2024 Statistics

  • The group discussed how we are currently tracking in 2024 statistics, noting that more is required as we aim for the best road safety performance.

Strategic Partnership Board/Cabinet Secretary Message

  • The Cabinet Secretary for Transport attended and Chaired the first half of the SPB meeting. During this, the Cabinet Secretary emphasised that it is more important than ever to ensure that all road safety partners have a joined-up approach in

Previous Minutes and Actions

  • The minutes of the previous meeting on 15 November 2023 were agreed as an accurate record of discussion. There was one outstanding action from the last meeting, to circulate a summary of Road Safety Improvement Fund (RSIF) bids.
  • This action is on-going and will be published as part of case studies including best practice measures.

Updates from the Governance Groups

Activity Report from SPB

The SPB met on 5 June 2024 and, once the Board has agreed the minutes, these will be circulated to the OPG.

The following output from SPB was highlight:

  • The SPB will receive and approve the Road Safety Summit report. This will then go to the Cabinet Secretary and actions will be delivered through the OPG.
  • A number of action from the report include reserved matters such as, General Safety Regulations and Graduate Driving Licence (now known as Progressive Licencing Reform) and the Cabinet Secretary will write to the incoming UK Government on these.
  • The Cabinet Secretary is also planning on meeting all SPB members on a one to one basis to discuss progress on road safety and delivery in commitments.
  • The SPB will now meet four times a year with the next meeting in September.


Road Safety Summit Report

The Road Safety Summit was held on 28 February 2024 and brough local elected Councillors, policy makers and senior stakeholders together to address the rise in casualties.

Feedback was collated on the day and also following the summit. This has been captured in a report which will be signed off by SPB and the Cabinet Secretary with actions being progressed through the OPG.

HM noted the lack of awareness some road users have of the recent Highway Code changes, adding this could be due to not a lot of publicity being conducted to raise awareness.

MM advised that the Highway Code is reserved to the UK Government, and although changes were made agreed that further publicity is needed. Road Safety Scotland is developing a vulnerable road user campaign which will assist in supporting messaging from the Highway Code.

Activity Report from LPFs

An overview of the discussion from the last LPF meetings was provided in the papers with the following points being highlighted;

North – 23 November 2023

  •  Motorcycles and older road users are still overrepresented in the north, with 10 of the 25 motorcycle fatalities occurring in the north.
  • Partners in the north are continuing to try and address these areas through the Driver Engagement North project (targeting older road users) and Rider Refinement North (targeting motorcycles).

East – 21 November 2023

  •  70% of fatalities in the east were male. With 16 pedestrians, 5 motorcycles, 19 car users and 1 HGV fatalities.
  • Older road user fatalities is also a cause for concern in the east with those being 70 plus being the highest age bracket being killed.

West – 28 November 2023

  •  Although motorcycle traffic in the LPF west area has seen an increase on 12% the number of those Killed or Serious Injured (KSI) reduced by 8%.
  •  Older road user KSIs increased by 18%. This is the second consecutive year the numbers increased.

The group reiterated that it is key the appropriate representation continues to attend each of the LPFs to ensure information is shared and acted upon if needed. The LPFs should also assist in the sharing of best practice through RSIF schemes.

Action Point 1: Secretariat to circulate link to SPB minutes once approved by the Board.
Action Point 2: Chair/Secretariat to copy the Cabinet Secretary’s letter to UK Government to members.
Action Point 3: Secretariat to circulate RSIF report to members on completed schemes.
Knowledge, Data and Training

Targets, Mode & User - Intermediate Measures/KPIs

AP presented casualty data from the Key Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2023 publication. An update was provided on progress towards each of the 2030 casualty reduction targets and the mode and user specific targets.

The following was noted:

  • Fatalities dropped from 171 to 155 (9%)
  •  Most of the fatal collisions were in Glasgow City (15), Highlands (14) and Fife (12)
  • Total casualties went up from 5,630 to 5,788 (3%) (third consecutive year of increasing)
  •  70+ has the most fatalities of any age group (38)

An overview was provided on the four national targets and five mode & user specific targets:

  • Target 1: Reduce fatalities by 50% - Not on track
  • Target 2: Reduce serious injuries by 50% - On track
  • Target 3: Reduce child fatalities by 60% - Not on track
  • Target 4: Reduce child serious injuries by 60% - Not on track
  • 40% reduction in pedestrians KSI - On track
  • 20% reduction in pedal cyclists KSI - On track
  •  30% reduction in motorcyclists KSI - On track
  • 20% reduction in 70+ KSI - On track
  •  70% reduction in 17-15 KSI - Not on track

SB queried the reporting methodology used when it comes to assigning the levels of injury, these can differentiate between different organisations.

SC noted that during a recent SCOTS meetings, local authority members highlighted difficulties navigating the new format for stats reporting, with it being challenging to understand what the causation factors are. This is something that will be kept under consideration by Transport Scotland Statistics team.

KI raised concerns around the number of drivers being distracted by mobile phones but the stats don’t always accurately reflect this.

MM confirmed that Road Safety Scotland will run a further Road Safety Information Tracking Study (RITS) this year with provisional dates being identified. MV added that further studies of camera technology are also being considered in Scotland which can detect those who drive and use a handheld device and/or drive whilst not wearing a seatbelt.

Police Management Information Data

VF provided the latest management information data, highlighted that Police Scotland continues to monitor analytical data to identify trends in activity and investigate how they can be prevented.

SC queried if Police Scotland are using Stats20 guidance when reporting collisions and if this guidance can be shared.

VF advised that Police Scotland uses the CRaSH application rather than Stats20.

Action Point 4: Secretariat to arrange meeting between Transport Scotland, Police Scotland and Public Health Scotland to discuss levels of injury reporting.
Action Point 5: VF to supply Stats20 reporting guidance and secretariat to share with members.

Delivery Plan and Monitoring

Delivery Plan Progress and Development

An overview of the deliverables contained in the 2023/24 delivery plan that were red/amber as of 31 March 2024 was provided, and an update on the current position of each of those deliverables was given.

When discussing a national conversation on road safety it was advised this was paused due to budget constraints, however this is something that is planned for 2024/25, with members encouraged to share ideas on what should be included.

The Chair then noted the deliverables to research the impacts of technology on road safety, advising this was paused due to budgetary pressures. However, Transport Scotland has been able to conduct a trial of distracted driver technology and work is also being undertaken to harness connected vehicle data of harsh breaking to highlight near miss hotspots on the trunk road network.

SF added that technology is also available in other parts of the world which can detect if a motorist may be driving whilst impaired. This is something that could also be considered for trial in Scotland during 2025.

The deliverable to develop a National Dashcam Safety Portal was also discussed. Police Scotland will not use a national dashcam portal and looking to develop this through the Digital Evidence Sharing Capability (DESC) Programme, currently in pilot in Dundee.

This approach would mean a crime would have to be reported to allow footage to be uploaded. The group highlighted the importance of having a strong road safety messaging around this to help support members of the public once the system is live nationally.

Road Traffic Fatality Research Report

The report containing the recommendations and countermeasures from the Road Traffic Fatality Report were circulated following the last meeting. Each of these have now been allocated to lead and supporting partners.

The Chair will meet with each of the lead partners identified on a one to one basis to discuss the next steps in progressing these recommendations.

Partner Updates

Partner updates were included with the papers with the following points highlighted;

  • Road Policing units, supported by the Safety Camera units will work closely with local policing teams as well as national and local partners to tackle road safety and road crime issues.
  • Scottish Ambulance Service have conducted work to ensure the safety of crews travelling in the back of ambulances with patients, including ‘Safe in the Back’ highlighting the importance of seatbelt wearing. Further to this, the service is also reviewing their visibility when responding on blue lights, noting this plays a key role in travelling safely.
  • Local authorities are continuing to support the rollout of 20 mph and enforcement of pavement parking.
  • The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are working in partnership with many partners to deliver various road safety education and training. These have included, Biker Down, New Driver Early Intervention and car seat safety clinics.
  • Working in partnership with Police Scotland and local authorities, British Horse Society have established signage for drivers to slow down for horses.
  • Cycling Scotland have completed an evaluation funded through the Road Safety Evaluation Fund which looked drivers awareness of the Highway Code. This highlighted that 3 in 4 drivers say they know the Highway Code well, but only half were aware of the changes introduced in 2022. With 40% admitting they haven’t look at the Highway Code since passing their test.
  • Scottish IAM RoadSmart volunteers continue to work with local contacts to promote road safety including on Rider Refinement and working with older drivers in the Highlands.
  • Public Health Scotland shared the importance of having valuable data. Highlighting a proposal they would like to conduct which would see them work with some Accident and Emergency departments to gather those who self-present after being involved in collisions as currently this information isn’t gathered as standard.

Risk Register

The risk register was circulated in advance of the meeting and the Chair sought the views on the current risks and scoring.

The group agreed to further review risks and scoring when recirculated with the minutes.

Action Point 6: Members to share ideas on topics to include in National Conversation on road safety.

Action Point 7: Secretariat to arrange meeting between Transport Scotland and Police Scotland to discuss DESC rollout and capabilities as well as consider what road safety messaging is appropriate.

Action Point 8: Caroline Brearley to provide update on Scottish Ambulance Service deliverable.

Action Point 9: Secretariat to arrange one-to-one meetings will lead partners identified through the fatality report.

Action Point 10: Stephen Bridgman to supply an overview of funding proposal to gather A&E data.

Action Point 11: Members to review risk register and identify if there is any further risks to the delivery of the framework.

Road Safety Funding

An update on the current framework projects was provided, highlighting that regular contact is kept with each of the project managers and OPG members will be kept updated with progress.

The Chair advised that the project for Safe System Training and Capacity Building is nearing a conclusion. The group noted that an e-learning primer had been created together with a data road map and a Safe System Culture Playbook. These will be shared with members.

Work will continue to develop a Safe System Manual, this will see Scotland be the first country in the world to ever have one. The Chair added that Agilysis is also looking to soon conduct the first training for partners in Scotland with an overarching aim to have 500 individuals trained by 31 March 2025.

The Chair also highlighted the RSIF with £10 million being allocated to the fund for 2024/25, with an additional £2 million in funding was also awaiting approval. The group noted this will support local authorities in their aim to reduce casualties and risks on their roads through the implementation of a range of measures aligned to the Safe System. The group also noted a series of webinars had been held with local authorities to assist in their RSIF application process.

Action Point 12: Secretariat to circulate Safe System e-learning primer and playbook documentation to members.

AOB and Next Meeting

Members noted that it had been requested by the Strategic Partnership Board that due to increasing numbers of KSI on Scotland’s road network that the frequency of OPG meetings increase from bi-annually to quarterly. It was agreed the next meeting would be held in September. It was agreed this meeting would focus on data, deliverables and actions stemming from the Road Traffic Fatality Research.

Action Point 13: Secretariat to issue calendar invite for OPG meeting in September.

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Published Date 16 Aug 2024 Type Mode of transport Topic