The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has managed to uncover that funding for road safety campaigns has been cut by a massive £15 million since the 2008/09 financial year.
The Department of Transport set aside £19 million for road safety five years ago, a figure that has been cut to just £3.7 million for the 2012/13 financial year. According to the information discovered after the Freedom of Information enquiry by IAM a measly £53,000 was allocated for cyclist safety and just £78,000 was to be spent on child and teenager safety programs.
Neil Greig, IAM's Director of Policy said, "Road safety is being cut too hard and too quickly. One life saved saves the economy £1.7 million. £53,000 is a derisory amount to spend on national cycle safety campaigns, and £78,000 for children's safety campaigns is virtually insignificant. If the government is serious about safety, these amounts must be increased."
Despite the drastic cuts, funding for motorcycle and drink driving campaigns have remained fairly high - sitting at roughly £1.2 million and £1.7 million respectively.
Grieg goes on to say, "Both of these campaigns appear to be working. The government needs to match that kind of expenditure and take the safety of children and cyclists seriously."
In 2011, the number of deaths on UK roads cost around £3.2 billion. Added to the immeasurable emotional and social costs, road safety is definitely not something that can be scrimped on.
James Giddings - 31 Jan 2013