Date: 01 September 2006 20:12

ANTI-SKID SURFACES AS GOOD WAY TO REDUCE ACCIDENTS

Recently released figures shows a programme of using anti-skid surfacing has 
reduced accidents by nearly a third at treated sites in Cambridgeshire.

Figures show that since Cambridgeshire County Council has been using 
re-texturing and anti-skid surfaces that accidents have reduced by around 32 
per cent at these sites.

Comparing accident date around three years either side of the road being 
treated has shown that accidents have reduced significantly.

For example two sites treated between February and September 2003 saw an 86 
per cent drop in accidents in the 27 months after they were treated.

Skid resistant surfacing and re-texturing is used in places such as 
approaches to roundabouts, traffic signals and pedestrian crossings.

Cambridgeshire County Council saw a record low in the number of people or 
killed seriously injured on the County's roads. Since the mid-90s the 
Council, working with its partners has achieved a 23% reduction in the 
number of road accident deaths and serious injuries.

The Council uses a combination of physical measures, such as traffic calming 
and ant-skid surfacing to driver education.

Amanda Mays, Team Leader for Accident Investigation and Prevention for 
Cambridgeshire County Council, said: "At the right kind of site anti-skid 
surfacing has been very successful and is often a simple way, compared to 
other methods, to improve safety. The County Council is committed to 
reducing accidents on Cambridgeshire's roads and are always looking for new 
and innovative ways to achieve this. We have been successful in reducing 
accidents but every casualty is a tragedy and we will continue to work with 
our partners to improve safety."

John Reynolds