South Yorkshire road safety partnership marks a decade of making our roads safer

South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership (SYSRP) was set up in December 2009 to adopt a multi-agency approach to road safety.

Over the last decade, the team has worked with thousands of schools, businesses, training providers and fellow road safety practitioners to offer potentially life-saving interventions to road users of all ages and backgrounds.

Former and current employees came together to share the partnership’s achievements and discuss plans for 2020.

Manager Joanne Wehrle said: “We are incredibly proud to be marking 10 years of Safer Roads during which time we have seen a 39 per cent reduction in casualties.

“During the last decade, our work has been extremely varied from offering pre and post-test training for young drivers and riders to delivering Safer Driving at Work courses for multi-national companies.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our partners and everyone who has worked with us to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.

“Ultimately, that is the reason we are here – to save lives and protect our communities.”

New driving laws for 2020

SYSRP is made up of the four local authorities, South Yorkshire Police, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Highways England, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive and South Yorkshire Safety Cameras.

The partnership’s multi-agency approach focusses on the ‘Three Es’ which are education, engineering and enforcement.

“In order to make our roads safer, we need to cover all three areas which is why we work so closely with our partners,” added Joanne.

“Our central team delivers the educational side of road safety which ranges from running campaigns and hosting in-house events to visiting colleges and delivering one-to-one interventions to those identified at most risk.

“It’s crucial that we continue to target the most vulnerable members of society and ensure that we are delivering the right message, to the right people, in the most effective way.”

In 2018, the overall number of casualties on South Yorkshire’s roads went down by almost 14 per cent meaning that 532 fewer people were injured or killed than in 2017.

The figures also showed that the number of reported collisions in the county was at its lowest for almost four decades despite a 2.5 per cent increase in traffic on the county’s roads.

But with a six per cent rise in the number of people seriously injured, the partnership continues to strive to address current road safety issues.

“Although we have made considerable progress in terms of reducing casualties, there is still so much more work to be done,” added Joanne.

“One life lost is one too many and the grief and suffering caused to the family left behind is absolutely devastating.

“Our key message to everyone in South Yorkshire, no matter what type of road user you are, is that the roads belong to us all.

“Put down your mobile phone, follow the speed limit and don’t drink and drive – share our roads responsibly and let’s keep each other safe.”