The North's Environment Minister, Mr Sam Foster, has embarked on a 10-year road safety strategy aimed at involving the public in reducing road deaths and serious injuries, writes Monika Unsworth.
Among the measures proposed in the document are further changes to the driving and MoT tests, drink-driving limits, speed limits, seatbelt legislation, as well as more speed cameras and additional traffic calming measures.
The strategy sets a target of a 20 per cent reduction in fatal and serious road casualties which would be "potentially achievable" with current levels of funding and interventions by road safety agencies, according to the document.
Alternatively, it envisages a long-term 33 to 40 per cent reduction - in line with figures in Britain which would be likely to require a "significant increase in funding levels as well as full community support".
While outlining strategies for road safety organisations, the document appeals to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists to have their say in developing innovative approaches.