ROAD safety partners from across the county have renewed their commitment to a long-term strategy aimed at eliminating deaths and serious injuries.

The Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership (WSRSP) said Vision Zero represents a “bold and transformative approach” to road safety, based on the principle that no loss of life or serious injury on the roads is acceptable.

Originating in Sweden and the Netherlands, the approach accepts that human error is inevitable and instead focuses on designing transport systems that reduce the risk of fatal or life-changing harm when collisions occur.

Central to the strategy is the Safe System methodology, which is built around five pillars: safe roads, safe speeds, safe vehicles, safe road users and post-collision response.

Different organisations within the partnership lead on each area, working together to reduce collisions and limit their impact.

Planned measures include improvements to road design and maintenance, upgrades to roadside infrastructure, safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists, better speed management through highway planning, appropriate speed limits and driver education.

The partnership is also focusing on education, tackling dangerous driving behaviour and promoting the responsible use of vehicle safety technology.

Cabinet member for highways at Wiltshire Council Cllr Martin Smith said: ““These changes won’t happen overnight, but by combining our efforts across all partners, we can make a real difference.

“We know that we can’t eliminate collisions completely, but we can minimise the harm they cause, and that’s what all partners are working towards.”

Perry Payne, of the Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership, welcomed the government’s new road safety strategy, noting that “they have set goals to reduce road death and serious injury by 65% by 2035 (70% in children under 16), and the strategy aligns with the five key principles which form Vision Zero.”

Police and emergency services are also backing the approach.

Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “Vision Zero has one simple and clear goal, to reduce fatal accidents and serious injuries on our roads, and that requires collaboration, innovation and commitment from national and local government bodies and our communities.”

Wiltshire Police Inspector for road policing and safety unit Neil Duffin added: “Our unit will continue to work closely with partners to target the behaviours that cause the most harm, including speeding, drink and drug driving, and mobile phone use at the wheel.

“Every collision has a devastating impact on families and communities, and in many cases, they are avoidable.”

National Highways and Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service have also pledged their support, with partners highlighting enforcement, engineering, education and new technologies as key tools in making roads safer.

The partnership says achieving Vision Zero will take time but believes sustained collaboration can create safer journeys and communities across Wiltshire and Swindon.