Peak in Glasgow road deaths described as 'avoidable tragedy'

Eleven pedestrians, two cyclists and one passenger in an emergency vehicle died as a result of collision incidents.

The pedestrians included two children - a five-year-old and a 13-year-old. 

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The death toll has been described as an “avoidable tragedy” by a councillor.

A council meeting heard about what steps are being taken to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on the roads including measures to prevent people from being hit by HGVs.

Transport Scotland funding has been used to roll out safety engineering measures in Kilmarnock Road, Old Castle Road, and Pollokshaws Road among streets in the city over the last year.

Commenting on the loss of lives, Scottish Greens councillor Jon Molyneux said: “I think this is one of the most sobering reports I have ever seen as a councillor and I think we should take a moment to acknowledge that every one of those 14 deaths is an avoidable tragedy.

"It is not just a Glasgow issue but we are experiencing an epidemic of road violence.”

He added: “We should not underestimate for a second the severity of the issues and the need to tackle them with some urgency.”

Councillor Holly Bruce, also Scottish Greens, moved an amendment at the meeting to add more measures to a road safety action plan, saying: “I’m conscious that the council’s actions on road safety were not robust enough given that five out of 14 of the deaths have involved large vehicles.”

Cllr Holly Bruce (Image: Newsquest)Councillor Bruce’s accepted amendment asked for increasing HGV vehicle safety checks and enforcement of drivers entering cycle-safe zones as well as steps for road safety data to be shared to learn more about potential intervention.

A range of actions have been put forward following a survey after a road safety roundtable by the Safe Glasgow Partnership.

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Among them is a study to look at links between road safety and deprivation.

Other actions include working with companies using delivery cyclists to address road safety issues, looking at restriction of parking on pavements, and encouraging people to consider using sustainable transport for everyday journeys.

A council report presented to the environment and liveable neighbourhoods city policy committee last week described the increase in road fatalities as “unprecedented in recent years".

It added: “However, although extremely concerning, it is important to note that this unusual peak in fatalities should not be considered at this stage as an indicator of an upward trend.

"Investigation of each accident showed that they occurred at different times of day, different days, different age groups and genders etc. No clear trend could be identified.”