Cumberland Council has adopted a new, multi-faceted Road Safety Plan to reduce road accidents and promote safer driving within the Cumberland area. Approved by the council’s highways and transport strategic board during a meeting at Allerdale House in Workington, the 2024–2027 Road Safety Plan aligns with the Cumberland Council Road Safety Policy, also endorsed by the board. The plan aims to influence road user behavior through education, training, and community collaboration, targeting drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians across all age groups. By combining these efforts with active participation from local law enforcement, fire and rescue services, and various council departments, the initiative seeks to create safer roadways and reduce collision rates.
Collaborative Approach to Road Safety
The Road Safety Plan encourages a coordinated approach, pooling resources and expertise from Cumberland Council departments such as Parking Services, Active Travel, and Communications, as well as external partners like the Cumbria Road Safety Partnership (CRSP). This partnership will help align all safety initiatives with the CRSP’s shared safety campaign calendar, ensuring efforts are strategically deployed throughout the year.
The plan also includes ongoing support for the Cumberland Council’s Safety Camera Unit, which enforces speed limits and provides speed awareness courses through the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS). This unit is tasked with responding to road safety needs by optimizing its deployment to areas where incidents are more likely to occur, based on real-time data and campaign timing.
Comprehensive Initiatives for All Road Users
The Road Safety Plan includes tailored programs for specific age groups and vehicle types to encourage safer habits and improved driving skills. Among its initiatives:
- Bikeability Cycle Training: Offered to primary school children, this program teaches young cyclists essential skills for navigating roads safely.
- Motorcycle Skills Training: Subsidized post-test training is available to support motorcyclists seeking to enhance their skills.
- Secondary School Safety Sessions: Road safety presentations led by the police and fire service aim to educate teens about responsible driving and road use.
- Older Driver Training: Subsidized training through the Institute of Advanced Motorists or the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is offered to older drivers who wish to refresh their driving knowledge and skills.
- Pass Plus Subsidies: Young and novice drivers receive financial support for this course to build experience and confidence behind the wheel.
The council will also review and potentially revise the CRSP’s Vehicle Activated Signs Policy and Speeding Protocol to ensure their effectiveness and alignment with current safety goals.
Ongoing Efforts to Improve Traffic Safety in Cumberland
Through programs such as Operation Snap, Cumberland residents can submit dashcam footage capturing dangerous driving incidents, contributing to a safer community. In addition, Pyjama Drama sessions in primary schools provide young children with fun, engaging road safety education.
With its comprehensive approach and diverse initiatives, the Cumberland Council’s 2024–2027 Road Safety Plan stands as a robust framework to encourage safe, responsible road behavior across the region. Through education, training, and collaborative planning, Cumberland Council aims to make roadways safer for everyone.
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