A collision has happened here, what can be done about it?
In the case of single/one off collisions it is difficult to identify a specific safety improvement that will help to prevent a similar occurrence in the future. Road safety improvements are most effective when based on detailed analysis of a number of similar collisions and for this reason Somerset Road Safety looks at details of a minimum of seven collisions when identifying specific improvements.
Each year there are over 1200 personal injury collisions recorded by the Police within Somerset. Using the GIS Collision Software system, all collisions are analysed and then broken down into cluster (a geographical grouping regardless of road), length (a grouping along a specific road) or Urban Safety Management priorities. This process generates lists of sites that are further analysed and enables Somerset Road Safety to produce prioritised shortlists of improvements.
If a collision results in a fatality then it will be investigated by the Police Collision Investigation team and subsequently by the Somerset Road Safety Collision Investigation and Prevention (CIP) Team. From these investigations any recommendations with regards to safety improvements will be proposed.
Does someone have to die before anything is done to this bit of road?
No, but before targeted safety improvements can be identified, Somerset Road Safety needs to have enough evidenced information of a specific problem. This is usually based on a minimum of seven collisions involving personal injury within a five year period.
There is a collision waiting to happen, what can be done about it?
Whilst it may be easy to imagine how a collision may occur, Somerset Road Safety cannot predict collisions. The current method of identifying and targeting collisions is not carried out based on risk, or likelihood, of one occurring. Without evidenced information it is not possible to make an informed decision on how any part of our highway may be made safer.
Lots of collisions have happened here, what are you doing about it?
Somerset Road Safety (SRS) base all of their improvements on personal injury collisions (PICs) recorded by the Police. If there is a treatable record of PICs, this will be identified and prioritised for improvement by SRS. There are also many damage-only collisions recorded across Somerset and, whilst not always in a usable format, often it can help to broaden understanding of road conditions and add to the quality of analysis work.
This road has always been dangerous, what can be done about it?
Firstly, the cause of any danger needs to be identified. If there is a treatable record of Personal Injury Collisions (PICs) this will be identified and prioritised for improvement by Somerset Road Safety. However, if there isn’t a record of PICs, this does not mean that the road is free of hazards, only that we are unable to prioritise detailed analysis. It could be something that Traffic Management or Highways colleagues may be able to address through their work. It is worth discussing your concern(s) with your Parish and County Councillors.
How do I get a speed limit/ How do I get a speed limit changed?
From a road safety perspective, a new speed limit alone is unlikely to result in a significant drop in existing collision problems. Analysis of collisions in Somerset has not shown any site where speed is the only collision cause. If you consider traffic to be speeding on your road, contact your Local Community Police Officer and Parish Council to discuss your concerns. It may be possible to establish a locally run Community Speed Watch scheme.
Reviewing new and existing speed limits can take many months. Where any change in speed limit has been identified, the local Parish Council will be directly involved and is a good contact for questions regarding this.
More detailed information regarding the background to speed limits, and other Traffic Calming measures in Somerset can be found at this link Speed limits
How do I get traffic calming?
Somerset County Council does not currently have a budget for building bespoke traffic calming schemes. However, a good starting point for considering if any improvements can be made to traffic movements, is to contact your County Councillor and Town or Parish Council to see if they are able to help progress your request.
