IAM backs TISPOL safety campaign
IAM RoadSmart is supporting Project EDWARD, European Day Without a Road Death, in its goal of no deaths on European roads for the day (21 September 2016).
Project EDWARD is the brainchild of TISPOL, the European Traffic Police Network. It is urging all road users to take some extra time to consider their driving, riding and cycling on 21 September and beyond – and to sign the TISPOL pledge.
TISPOL is concerned that countries who have successfully pursued the EU target of a 50% reduction in road deaths since the start of the decade, have seen this trend stagnate over the past two years.
TISPOL said, ‘Driver behaviour remains the most important barrier to progress as we approach 2020 and its reduction targets.’
IAM RoadSmart highlighted the dangers of distraction factors to drivers in its report The Battle for Attention earlier this year.
The report investigated Department of Transport figures which showed that in 2013 there were 2,995 cases where distraction in the vehicle was listed as a contributory factor, making up three per cent of all accidents, and 1,627 where distraction outside the vehicle was a contributory factor, making up one per cent of all accidents.
Sarah Sillars, IAM RoadSmart chief executive officer, said, ‘Reducing road deaths to zero, if just for one day, would be a powerful shake up to a slowdown in the decrease in the number of road deaths. European Day Without a Death is a brilliant initiative and we are keen to support it through offering practical support and advice to drivers and riders.’
