Action on road safety

Delegates attending shopworkers’ union USDAW’s annual delegate meeting in Blackpool last month called for action to improve road safety, including tougher legislation, enforcement and driver education. The union also highlighted a 23% cut in traffic police in England and Wales.

USDAW general secretary John Hannett reported that drink driving killed 230 people in 2012. And the use of mobile phones while driving reduces reaction times by between 37% and 46% and increases the risk of crashing by four times, he said.

He called for more education and training to raise awareness about the dangers of drink-driving, in schools and in driver training, and called for tougher legislation, enforcement and more education for drivers on the dangers of using mobile phones while driving.

He also pointed to RAC comments that the cuts in traffic police “make a mockery of motoring law and those breaking the law will not get caught”.

www.usdaw.org.uk/About-Us/News/2015/April/Road-safety-is-debated-at-Usdaws-annual-conferenc