Driving law changes will have major impact on traffic and slash congestion rates
The Government hopes the changes will cut traffic
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The Government will be implementing new road changes to keep traffic moving slowly and help drivers if they break down on roads.
The “Plan for Drivers” sets out a 30-point list of measures to help drivers go about their normal lives and make motoring cheaper along the way.
One of the methods being used to ensure drivers have “smoother journeys” is to improve the support people get if they have broken down.
The report highlights how road recovery operators provide a crucial service to stranded drivers and support the economy by preventing congestion on the roads.
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In a bid to help them, the Government will permit the use of “rear-facing red flashing lamps by road recovery operators”.
It is hoped this would help breakdown specialists to do their job quicker and help keep all motorists on the road safe.
This measure will apply to England, Scotland and Wales to ensure breakdown recoveries are done in the safest possible way.
Reacting to the announcement King, president of the AA, said it was a positive move, adding that it would have a huge benefit for breakdown patrols.
He said: “Allowing breakdown vehicles to use flashing red lights will improve the safety of drivers and passengers in broken down cars, as well as offer more protection to our patrols working at the roadside.
“When implemented with local consultation and support, targeted road safety measures are supported by drivers and residents alike.
“Transport policy should be evidence-based and take account of all road users including drivers, cyclists, bikers, bus passengers, delivery drivers and pedestrians. Safety and environmental considerations are also key.”
Traffic lights will also be given a boost by the Government with a £30million fund available to upgrade traffic signal systems.
This will replace unreliable and obsolete equipment to improve reliability and keep traffic moving.
An additional £20million will be given to the “Green Light Fund” to increase the number of smart traffic lights which “better reflect current traffic conditions”.
Commenting on the changes, Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “We will draw from the best in technological innovation to enable traffic to flow more smoothly and with fewer hold-ups.”
The Government will also invest a further £20million to deploy advanced technology for traffic signals.
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The Government will permit the use of 'rear-facing red flashing lamps by road recovery operators'
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The new technology will make use of machine learning and artificial intelligence to “optimise traffic flow and balance traffic across city centres”.
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