A NEW 'safer roads' strategy has been launched for Craven and the whole of North Yorkshire with the aim of bringing the number of people killed and seriously injured on the county's roads to close as zero as possible.

The strategy from the York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership brings together key organisations and will focus on four areas – safer road users, safer vehicles, safer roads and learning lessons after crashes.

The aim is to identify those most at risk and to make sure emergency services and those responsible for highways, get together to do everything possible to keep road users as safe as possible.

It will include ongoing engagement and specific projects, such as the recently launched Christmas Drink and Drug Drive Campaign.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service's interim Chief Fire Officer Jonathan Foster, chair of the York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership, said the strategy will focus on the four Es – education, engagement, engineering and enforcement.

He said: “It is good news that over recent years we have seen a reduction in the number of those who are killed or seriously injured on our roads, but we know that beyond statistics, every collision can have a devastating impact.

“It is for this reason that we are committed to working towards Vision Zero, with the aim of continuously reducing the risk of death or serious harm and to enhancing the safety of all in York and North Yorkshire.

“We look forward to working together in partnership with communities and organisations across North Yorkshire and York to deliver safer roads for us all.”

The York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership includes North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, City of York Council, North Yorkshire County Council, National Highways, and the Office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Zoë Metcalfe, North Yorkshire's newly elected police, fire and crime commissioner, said it was essential that roads were as safe as they could be for everyone who uses them.

She said: "We can only do this by working together which is why our partnership approach is the right one to share resources and expertise.We will ensure the views of communities are heard throughout the process. Those who live and work alongside our roads and use them everyday know the challenges, by listening to them, and working to put in place solutions, we can begin our journey to Vision Zero.”

Mark Pannone, Assistant Chief Constable for Specialist Operations at North Yorkshire Police, said: “As police officers we see too much devastation on our roads, and too many lives shattered as a result.

“Our message for this year’s drink and drug drive campaign is ‘we want you to live’, and this is true for every single day of the year – it’s why we do what we do.

“The drink and drug drive campaign is one of our 'Fatal 5' strands of the York and North Yorkshire Safer Roads Strategy. The strategy is very much welcomed as it sets out our total commitment to make sure our roads are as safe as they possibly can be for all drivers, riders, passengers and pedestrians.”

Don Mackenzie, executive member for highways for North Yorkshire County Council, and its road safety champion, said: “At North Yorkshire County Council, we welcome the latest partnership strategy. We have a strong commitment to road safety and casualty reduction. The new strategy, together with the most recent action plan, will enable all partners to deliver a cohesive, efficient service across the county.

“We know from analysis that most collisions involving personal injury are caused by driver or rider errors. The new strategy sets out clearly how we will work together to raise awareness of these issues and how we aim to reduce them.”

Simon Boyle, Regional Director for National Highways, said:“At National Highways, safety is our first imperative. Every death or serious injury on our roads is a tragedy which is why we are committed to reducing the number of road users killed or seriously injured on the strategic road network.

“The strategic road network is a vital national asset, supporting economic growth, regional development and employment opportunities across England and the rest of the UK. It connects families, communities and businesses, enriching the lives of many citizens. Billions of miles are travelled on our roads each year. The vast majority of these are safe and reliable journeys. We have high levels of safety on our network; but more can be achieved. We look forward to working with our partners on the new strategy for York and North Yorkshire.”

Read the full strategy at www.roadwise.co.uk.