Election day STACC finds answers on road safety

Today is the election day for Hertfordshire's Police and Crime Commisioner. There's a list of Hertfordshire's candidates here.


In a nutshell PCCs will bring a 'public voice to policing' by:

•engaging with the public and victims of crime to help set police and crime plans;
•ensuring the police force budget is spent where it matters most; and
•appointing, and where necessary dismissing, the chief constable.

This sounds like just the sort of official bike campaigns should be engaging with to talk about things which concern us, In fact, given that road safety affects pretty much every voter and Transport-related deaths are the third biggest non-disease killer you'd expect road safety to feature in PCC cadidates' manifestos. Look at the candidates' websites and you'll see road safety isn't mentioned at all.

So, Mike from the STACC committee compiled a list of non-controversial questions to ask PCC candidates and after several prods we got the following responses. Labour, Conservative and UKIP candidates gave answers by email, Lib Dem responses shown here are Mike's notes from a telephone conversation.

STACC doesn't recommend any candidate, but you may like to read the answers before you vote.

Q1- Speeding

We consider speeding to be a major danger to cyclists and high speeds make cyclists feel less safe on the roads.
What action will you take to control speeding in Hertfordshire?

Sherma Batson (Labour)

I would give higher priority to enforcement of speed limits.

David Lloyd (Conservative)

Speeding is one of the issues about which I receive a great deal of correspondence, and I agree that it has a negative impact on whether cyclists choose to cycle. I intend to bring in a targetted team that local parishes or towns can request for an intensive period to prosecute those speeding. I would also like a more widespread use of the speed awareness programme - much of the problem is public ignorance of the danger of driving too fast.

Marion Mason (UKIP)

Speeding is dangerous, obviously increased education is important Reports from cyclist groups like yours to their local area police would be treated seriously
Where any pattern emerges it would be monitored and appropriate action taken.

Christopher Townsend (Liberal-Democrat)

• Speeding on A roads is a concern and would be addressed.
• Ensure that those in control of fixed and mobile cameras are adequately resourced
• Local roads will be targeted.

Q2- 20mph speed limits in urban areas

20 mph limits make streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians and are being asked for by a large number of local communities.

Do you support 20mph limits in urban areas?

How would you police them?

Sherma Batson (Labour)

I support 20mph limits in residential streets and would ask the police to work with residents, councils and other relevant partners to decide on the best methods to ensure compliance.

David Lloyd (Conservative)

I think that the tide of public opinion is turning toward the implementation of 20mph schemes in urban areas (and a national 40mph limit on rural roads), although I worry that there is insufficient money to implement the engineering changes needed. I am watching the trials that are being undertake in Watford and St Albans with interest, and of course for the speed limits to work they need to be supported by the police (but remember the police they will keep their operational independence to advise).

Marion Mason (UKIP)

I would support 20 mph in designated areas


Christopher Townsend (Liberal-Democrat)

• Supports 20 mph limits

• Speed cameras are not effective to police zones, would look to residents working with police to identify issues.


Q3- Careless/Dangerous driving

Cyclists are at risk from careless and dangerous driving, and bad driving makes cyclists feel less safe. We are particularly concerned about drivers passing too close to cyclists, turning immediately in front of cyclists, tailgating and verbal abuse from motorists.

How will you police careless/dangerous driving?

Sherma Batson (Labour)

If careless driving is made a Fixed Penalty Offence I would expect the police to use these powers to target careless driving of the sort you indicate in the question.

David Lloyd (Conservative)

No reponse

Marion Mason (UKIP)

Put cameras in strategic areas


Christopher Townsend (Liberal-Democrat)

• A challenge.
• Increased advertising to show dangers, possibly funded by county victim support/crime prevention budget.
• Focus on driving without due care and attention

Q4- Bad driving around cycle facilities

Advanced stop lines and cycle lanes are useful safety features for cyclists, however they are often abused by drivers who move into the advanced stop area or drivers who park in cycle lanes forcing cyclists into the traffic.

What strategies do you have to counter these occurrences?


Sherma Batson (Labour)

Going past the first stop line and into the Cycle Pen is an offence and should be treated as such by the police. Parking in cycle lanes would be more easily enforced by local councils but until they have the powers it should be enforced by the police

David Lloyd (Conservative)

No response

Marion Mason (UKIP)

No response


Christopher Townsend (Liberal-Democrat)

• Abuse of advanced stop lanes is ‘anti-social driving’
• Finding the right person to talk to when making a compiaint is very difficult, will look at ways to address this
• In the meantime publicise the ways people can report now.


Q5- Cycle theft

Theft of cycles from home or the streets causes financial loss and great inconvenience to cyclists. There is an upsurge in the theft of high value bicycles.

How will you increase detection and punishment of cycle thieves?

Sherma Batson (Labour)

I would give higher priority to prevention and detection of cycle theft. I would ask the police to work with councils and cyclists to find ways to increase security.

David Lloyd (Conservative)

Cycle theft is lower in Herts than in many force areas (the worst local one being Cambs) - but it is still too high. I was in Milton Keynes recently and was impressed at what they have done to encourage greater participation in cycling, including safe storage schemes (with changing facilities) - this is the kind of joined up thinking that we need to champion across tiers of government.


Marion Mason (UKIP)

Improve the availability of cycle marking, thefts to be treated more seriously with more custodial sentences.


Christopher Townsend (Liberal-Democrat)

• Increased marking
• Make sure cycle theft gets some focus.

Q6 Roadsafe scheme

The Metropolitan police operate a roadsafe scheme to provide intelligence on road use. http://www.met.police.uk/roadsafelondon/

"Roadsafe London is an information and Intelligence gathering tool. It is the Metropolitan Police response to requests to provide a means for members of the public to advise us about criminal, nuisance and anti-social behaviour on the roads of London. It is part of the Road Crime Intelligence Unit and staffed by experienced traffic officers"

Would you consider introducing a similar scheme in Hertfordshire?

Sherma Batson (Labour)

I would consider introducing such a scheme if the evidence from the Met is that it would be an effective way of preventing such behaviour on the roads of Hertfordshire.

David Lloyd (Conservative)

Of course the "operation cyclone" championed by the chief constable, who is a keen advocate of cycling, that puts more police on bikes will in itself take the issue of road safety up the agenda for police.

I'm afraid that I hadn't heard about the roadsafe scheme.


Marion Mason (UKIP)

It certainly appears to be an innovative idea. More information on its success rate would be necessary but it is certainly something I would consider.

Christopher Townsend (Liberal-Democrat)

Needs to study the scheme before making any commitment