Protesters Rally in Oxford Demanding Safer Streets Amid Alarming Road Casualty Figures

Around 100 concerned citizens gathered at the Plain roundabout in Oxford last Saturday to voice their demands for safer streets and an end to dangerous driving. The demonstration was part of a nationwide day of action organized by the Safe Streets Now campaign, responding to the latest data on accidents and injuries released by the Department for Transport.

The Coalition for Health Streets and Active Travel (CoHSAT), a resident group, presented a stark statistic, stating that five people lose their lives every day on Britain’s roads. In Oxfordshire alone, 24 fatalities were recorded last year, leading the group to emphasize that these incidents are not mere accidents but largely preventable events often caused by careless or dangerous driving.

Analyzing the data further, CoHSAT revealed that half of the deaths in Oxfordshire in the past year occurred within cars, six involved motorcyclists, three were pedestrians, two were cyclists, and one occurred with a lorry. The group argued that the high number of injuries from road collisions is unsustainable, urging for immediate action.

Lily Martyn, a parent who participated in the protest, expressed the sentiment of many attendees: “We shouldn’t fear for our lives every time we hit the roads. Drivers must recognize the responsibility they bear when behind the wheel and behave accordingly.”

Cyclox, a cycling campaign group, also joined the demonstration, echoing the call for an end to dangerous roads and driving. In a tweet, they emphasized the need for safe streets for all road users.

Green Party councillor Emily Kerr, who attended the protest with her children, highlighted the historical resistance to road safety measures. She noted that past initiatives like mandatory seatbelts, the ban on drink-driving, and speed limits faced opposition but ultimately contributed to safer roads. Kerr pointed to the controversy surrounding the introduction of 20mph limits in Wales as the latest example.

Addressing criticism that the protest was primarily attended by a white, middle-class demographic, Kerr dismissed such claims as “completely ludicrous.” She refuted the notion that the demonstration was a photo opportunity for a specific group, emphasizing that the focus was on people, not bicycles.

Kerr argued for the inclusivity of the cause, stating, “You only have to walk around Oxford to see that saying all cyclists are white and middle class is completely ludicrous.” She highlighted the diverse range of individuals using bicycles for commuting, delivering food, running errands, or ensuring their children’s safe travel to school.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Vision Zero strategy, aiming for zero road deaths and life-changing injuries by 2050 with a 50% reduction by 2030, was acknowledged by campaigners. However, they stressed that the pace of change needs to accelerate, calling for comprehensive road design alterations to minimize risks for cyclists and pedestrians.

As the campaign gains momentum, the citizens of Oxford are pushing for tangible improvements in road safety, urging authorities to prioritize the urgent need for change to prevent further loss of life on the city’s streets.