This is a spot from Transport for London, designed to raise public awareness of the need for greater road safety. “Awareness Test” is part of their newly introduced cycle safety campaign, which is aimed at reducing the number of cyclists hurt on London’s roads.
In 2006, 231 people were killed and 3,715 seriously injured on London’s roads. Pedestrians accounted for almost half of all deaths. Transport for London’s Web site states, “Although London has seen a reduction in collisions and casualties since the 1980s, the toll of deaths and injuries is still far too great. Each casualty represents a personal tragedy for someone.”
“We are committed to improving road safety. The Road Safety Plan for London sets out what must be done to create safer streets for people. This can be achieved through changing street layouts, improving enforcement, and implementing education and training campaigns to change road user behaviour.”
In 2006, the Mayor of London announced new road casualty reduction targets for London to achieve by 2010:
- 50 percent reduction of all road users killed or seriously injured
- 60 percent reduction of the number of children killed or seriously injured
- 50 percent reduction in pedestrians and cyclists killed or seriously injured
I would like to see major American cities support similar initiatives. Our roads need to be safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
Video courtesy of Transport for London
