Skip to main content

A future UK government should focus more on potholes and road safety

With a national UK election looming next month, a future government must make road safety a top priority, said the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). Half of motorists in a recent survey of 2,156 people, and conducted IAM in March, said the current administration has not given the issue as much attention as is needed. The number one issue that the government should be focussing on, according to 70% of respondents, is the reduction of the number of potholes. The backlog of repairs now tops more
April 10, 2015 Read time: 3 mins
Government should step up the fight against potholes
With a national UK election looming next month, a future government must make road safety a top priority, said the 5125 Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

Half of motorists in a recent survey of 2,156 people, and conducted IAM in March, said the current administration has not given the issue as much attention as is needed.

The number one issue that the government should be focussing on, according to 70% of respondents, is the reduction of the number of potholes.

The backlog of repairs now tops more than €16.5 billion, according to the 1360 Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA). Money spent on filling 2.7 million potholes in the past year had been “wasted”, said a statement from the AIA.

The next biggest concern for road users was that of general road maintenance, with more than 64% of those surveyed stating this needed more attention.

Third in the list was reducing the number of road accidents and casualties for all age groups, with 52% of respondents saying it should be a greater government concern. Road crashes still cost the UK economy around €21.5 billion.

By September last year, the number of those killed or seriously injured on UK roads has increased by 4% as of September 2014, according to the UK Department of Transport.

IAM is a road safety charity dedicated to improving standards and safety in driving and motorcycling.

“Cuts in visible policing and road safety spending have had an impact. While these figures cannot be regarded as a trend, they are a major concern that the new Parliament must address,” said Neil Greig, IAM director of policy and research.

The fourth aspect of motoring life respondents wanted to see changed was the driving test. The survey revealed over 41% of motorists thought the UK driving test is not fit for purpose and they would like to see the government make it more relevant to today’s driving conditions.

IAM wants the introduction of theory and hazard perception tests,. a practical driving test that includes high-speed roads and a graduated licencing system that ensures new drivers undertake a  minimum learning period prior to taking the practical test.

Rounding out the top five issues was 39% respondents wanted to see an increase in sentences for those guilty of serious motoring offences.

The ALARM report by the Asphalt Industry Alliance I available by %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal clicking here Visit ALARM survey 2015 page false http://www.asphaltindustryalliance.com/news-press.asp?info=ALARM+survey+2015 false false%>.

Reported road casualties in Great Britain Annual report is available by %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal clicking here View Great Britain Annual report false https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/9275/rrcgb2011-02.pdf false false%>

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • IJM backs out of deal to buy Malaysian road operator SILK
    November 25, 2014
    IJM, one of Malaysia’s largest construction conglomerates, has bailed out of a deal to buy the highways concession business SILK. SILK Holdings, owner of the subsidiary SILK, Sistem Lingkaran-Lebuhraya Kajang, and IJM agreed to end the US$118 million takeover deal that was announced in June, the Sun newspaper reported. SILK holds the concession for the 37km Kajang Traffic Dispersal Ring Road, also called the Silk Highway, until 2037. The road opened in 2004. IJM noted in June, in its filing of intention
  • E&E Event 2018 Berlin: an asphalt industry fit for purpose
    April 3, 2018
    Exhibition space is now sold out for the E&E Event 2018 – Euroasphalt & Eurobitume - coming to Berlin, June 14-15. But early registration for a discount is still available, however the deadline is fast approaching – April 16. The finalised programme will soon be published for the E&E Event 2018 that will focus on the preparations needed by the asphalt industry to ensure it is fit for purpose in the future.
  • Vietnam Expressway Corp to sell five highway routes
    October 31, 2014
    Vietnam is considering selling its ownership in several major highways to help pay for more road projects. The Ministry of Transport (MoT) recently said that the government’s infrastructure investor body Vietnam Infrastructure Development and Finance Investment (VIDIFI), would sell 70% of its ownership in the Hanoi–Hai Phong Highway project to a buyer from India. The move is part of a strategy that could see Vietnam sell off more of its investment in highway projects, either under construction or complete
  • Palfinger launches 30m truck-mounted platform
    January 6, 2017
    Palfinger Platforms has replaced its TKA series access platform with the P300KS. Mounted on a 7.5 tonne truck chassis, the P300KS has a working height of 30m with a maximum outreach to the side or the back of 20.5m. The cage, which offers 540 degrees of rotation, has a maximum load of 350kg.