Scores of people have now signed the Essex Vision Zero Pledge – the first of its kind in the UK – demonstrating their commitment to eliminating deaths and serious injuries on our county’s roads.
The Vision Zero pledge, which was launched by the Safer Essex Roads Partnership in May, during UN Global Road Safety Week, is giving individuals, schools, businesses and organisations across the county an opportunity to make a stand against road harm.
While road deaths and injuries are gradually reducing, 48 people were killed and 3,515 people were injured in crashes on Essex roads in 2022 alone.
In addition, countless more people – who are unaccounted for in casualty statistics – are affected mentally and physically each year, following a crash – either as a witness or as a family member, friend or neighbour who is caring for a crash victim.
Will Cubbin, Manager of the Safer Essex Roads Partnership, said: “There can be no other number that we strive to get to, than zero. People make mistakes, but nobody deserves to die or suffer life-changing injuries as a result of their mistake or somebody else’s.”
“Around 50 people die needlessly on the roads of Essex each year, but this does mean that we already achieve zero deaths on more days than not. If we all play our part to make the roads work as a safe system, then we should be able to achieve zero all the time.”
As well as many members of the public and organisations, among those who have signed the Essex Vision Zero pledge so far are:
- Roger Hirst – Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner
- Cllr Lesley Wagland – Chair, Safer Essex Roads Partnership Board
- CFO Rick Hylton – Chief Fire Officer, Essex Fire and Rescue Service
- Adam Pipe – Head of Roads Policing, Essex Police
- Tiptree Neighbourhood Watch
- Will Cubbin – Manager, Safer Essex Roads Partnership
- Nicola Foster – Chair, Safer Essex Roads Partnership
- Trevor Hall – Managing Director, Road Safety Support, Essex
Will Cubbin added: “We believe the Safer Essex Roads Partnership Vision Zero pledge is the first of its kind in the UK. Other countries have taken this approach and have attracted considerable support from the public and organisations for this vital approach to road casualty reduction.”
“We are hopeful that by highlighting the unnecessary suffering caused by road crashes and the need for us all to take responsibility when we use the roads, more and more people in Essex will show their support for Vision Zero.”
Sign the Essex Vision Zero pledge here: Vision Zero Pledge – SERP (saferessexroads.org)
12 July 2023
