A new scheme has been launched which aims to eradicate all deaths and serious injuries on West Yorkshire's roads in the next 16 years.
The West Yorkshire Vision Zero Strategy is being led by West Yorkshire Combined Authority and comes after their figures show the number of people killed or seriously injured on the county's roads was 1,457 last year - up from 1,413 in 2022.
Vision Zero is an ambitious strategy, but Alison Lowe, West Yorkshire's Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, believes it's achievable.
"One death is one death to many, and here in West Yorkshire we've seen an increasing number of people being seriously injured, 1450 in 2023 or killed, 50, in 2023, which is unacceptable," said Alison Lowe.
"I have lived experience of having lost a family member when I was a child. My sister was killed on the roads aged three, so I am personally passionate about this subject.
The strategy to get road deaths and serious injuries on West Yorkshire's roads down to zero by 2040 focuses on the 'safe system approach' - safe roads, safe behaviours, safe speeds, safe vehicles, and an effective post-collision response.
The West Yorkshire Vision Zero Strategy is being led by West Yorkshire Combined Authority
GB NEWS
"We want safer roads, so the mayor has invested £25 million for all our county to have better road infrastructure," said Alison Lowe.
"Safer cars, making sure that manufacturers implementing all the best standard industry improvements.
"We want to have behaviour change. We want the communities of West Yorkshire to hold each other to account for not drink driving, for not using a mobile phone, failing to wear a seatbelt, speeding and careless driving.
Bev and Steve Gough feel the pain of losing a loved one in a road traffic collision. Their 19-year-old daughter Naomi tragically died in a crash in Halifax in 2007.
Alison Lowe, West Yorkshire's Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, believes Vision Zero is achievable
GB NEWS
Paying tribute to Naomi, Bev told GB News: "When your child dies, you die too. Your whole world is just turned inside out. Naomi had plans she'd always wanted to get married and married and have children.
"She left footsteps in hearts that deep, no one else will replace them. She was just such a kind, beautiful, beautiful person."
The couple set up a road safety charity Naomi Cheri Gough Foundation in their daughter's memory. The charity offers financial help and emotional support to families of those killed on the roads, as well as educating future motorists about avoiding dangerous driving.
They also believe getting road deaths and serious injuries on West Yorkshire's roads down to zero by 2040 "must happen".
Steve said: "If we can remove the fatal five which is: speeding, drink or drug driving, use of mobile phones, not wearing a seatbelt and careless driving, we'll save thousands of lives.
"I know it's quite an ambition, a massive target to reach zero by 2040, but it's possible."
Emergency services, local authorities, National Highways, victim support services, and road safety campaigners are all backing the West Yorkshire Vision Zero Strategy and their message is to put safe driving at the forefront of every journey in order to save lives.
