Jessica Morden Jessica Morden - Labour MP for Newport East, PPS to Keir Starmer and Shadow Minister for Wales
In a cross-party Parliamentary debate last week I called on the Government to consider all options on the table to improve road safety.
I spoke on behalf of the Smith family, who tragically lost their daughter Rhiannon in a collision in March last year and have been campaigning passionately on road safety issues. In the debate I highlighted with the Transport Minister, Jesse Norman MP, a range of road safety measures that were discussed at the Rhiannon Jade Smith Memorial Trust’s Welsh Road Safety Conference and urged the Government to approach all options with an open mind.
The conference held last month at the Celtic Manor heard from experts who discussed default 20mph speed limits in urban areas, graduated driving licences, and measures to tackle drink and drug driving highlighted by Gwent Police Chief Inspector Martyn Smith. I voiced my support for a dedicated road collision investigation branch which is currently being piloted by the Government along with the RAC Foundation.
It’s unacceptable that 1,700 lives are still lost on British roads each year. There are no shortage of options on the table for Ministers, with evidence-based measures that could make our roads safer for all, prevent accidents and save lives.
I urged the Minister to have an open approach and on behalf of the Smith family particularly urged him to commit to give a road collision investigation branch his backing. There is real potential for a dedicated organisation like this to understand the causes of accidents and look at ways to prevent them and make people safer.
You can read more on the story in the Argus here: