By Professor John Robertson, OBA
The Herald is trying to worry us today with:
Six pedestrians killed in nine days on Scotland’s roads
The annual figures for 2024 are, of course, not out yet and even if they were higher than last year’s 47 it would mean little as what matters is the longer trend. Only this can tell you if government initiatives and spending is working.
It is.
From 2008-2015, the average annual death rate was 49.6 while from 2016-2023, it was 37.5, a 24.4% decrease which is surely welcome.
https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/vgebxuz3/key-reported-road-casualties-scotland-2023.pdf
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Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
The Herald group tends to oppose any measures which restrict the actions of motor vehicle drivers. Partly, this is because much of its advertising is from the motor trade. And, partly, because being a right wing publisher it opposes things which it sees as ‘woke’. For example, The Glasgow Times has continually reported ‘horrors’ which the LEZ ‘inflicts on drivers and motor businesses.
As the Herald group sees it, roads and streets are for motor vehicles and pedestrians and cyclists present a danger to motor vehicles because they trespass on the sacred lands of the car. So, it is, by this article, seeking to frighten pedestrians and ‘encourage’ them to keep of the roads.
To make roads safer, speeds have to be reduced. Collisions at lower speeds cause far less damage – more pedestrians survive collisions. Reducing carriage way space and introducing wider footways and cycle lanes, slows traffic and, amongst other things reduces noise and makes the ambience of the street more pleasant – streets are for people.
What the Herald will want is more kerbside barriers and all pedestrian crossings to be signalised ones, with long distances between them and with crossing phases of less than 10 seconds.
Alasdair Macdonald
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there is clearly some media coordination on this issue. Bbc scotland currently headline 4 road deaths on their news page….
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The driving age should be increased. Young men 10% cause 25% of accidents.
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Or like me have to ride a motorbike until 25 – only really a danger to myself?
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