AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Safety lobby at House

3rd July 1997, Page 12
3rd July 1997
Page 12
Page 12, 3rd July 1997 — Safety lobby at House
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

by Sally Nash • Industry bodies joined forces last week to launch a campaign in the House of Commons calling on the Government to make traffic enforcement a priority.

Haulage safety group Brake, which is spearheading the initiative, has the backing of major organisations including the AA, Freight Transport and Road Haulage Associations, the Public Services, Tax & Commerce Union, the Transport & General Workers Union and the CBI.

Brake director Mary Williams says only 6% of police officers are dedicated to traffic enforcement despite the fact that 3,500 people are killed on the roads every year.

So far road policing has not been a political priority, says Williams.

"The new Government now has a chance to live up to its promise to be 'tough on crime'," she adds. Brake recommendations include: • Making road policing a "core duty" for officers; • Setting up a database with details of drivers and vehicles including convictions and offences; • Training traffic police to national standards; • Reviewing the adequacy of staffing levels in enforcement agencies; • Consulting on the feasibility of a single road police force encompass ing work by police, the Vehicle Inspectorate and other agencies.