Drivers to shape road safety plan

There were more than 17,000 casualties on the roads in 2006

Engaging more people in accident prevention is crucial in cutting the death toll on the roads, the transport minister has said.

Stewart Stevenson called on drivers, police and other groups to help shape the Scottish Government's 10-year road safety strategy.

His message coincides with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents road safety congress in Glasgow.

There were 314 deaths and 17,135 casualties on Scotland's roads in 2006.

'New ways'

Mr Stevenson, a speaker at the conference, said: "There are still far too many people dying on Scotland's roads.

"We must look at new ways of getting road safety messages across to drivers of all ages if we are to stop more families suffering the tragedy of a loved one being lost.

"To do that we need engagement from everyone in Scotland - from drivers, to road safety experts, the police, young people and others."

Professor Stephen Stradling, of the Transport Research Institute at Edinburgh's Napier University, and Elaine Barrie, assistant principal transportation officer at Renfrewshire Council, are among the other speakers at the three-day event.