What would you say if you were told that by 2040, no one would die in a collision on Essex roads?

The Safer Essex Roads Partnership releases Vision Zero strategy at the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex Annual Conference.

Today, 24 May 2022, The Partnership has released its Vision Zero Strategy which explains how it will start the process of change required in order to achieve its aspiration that, by 2040, there will be no deaths or serious injuries on Essex roads.

It details how it will support its partners, the communities of Essex (including Southend and Thurrock) and the many different organisations needed to promote and integrate road safety more effectively within the services that are already provided.

The launch of this document today follows a period of engagement with local district and parish councils, planning authorities, businesses, volunteer groups and residents, the feedback from which has shaped this final document.

Nicola Foster, Chair of the SERP, said: “The Partnership has made great progress in reducing deaths and serious injuries on its roads, but it is time for us to work more collaboratively with other agencies and the community to ensure that everyone returns home safely.

“Today provided us with a fantastic opportunity to share our strategy with partners at a strategic level. During the discussions there has been much hot debate; road safety is an issue that faces us all; often in many different guises.

“In 2020, 47 people lost their lives in a collision in Essex. That’s 47 people, just like you and me . For their family and loved ones their loss leaves gaps that can never be filled.

“We’d love you to read and share the strategy and to start a conversation at home or in the pub; everyone has an opinion about speeding drivers! We offer acclaimed Speed Awareness courses to around 60,000 drivers per year, but we’d really rather that they weren’t needed. We’d prefer everyone to be travelling at a safe speed within the limit, that action alone would save over 230 deaths or serious injuries per year in the area covered by the SERP.

“How far we get towards achieving Vision Zero is down to every one of us but I, for one, am willing to make it my life’s work.”

For more information on Vision Zero, including the strategy document, please visit saferessexroads.org/visionzero.

24 May 2022