Road Safety

Following the ban of general eastbound traffic on Princes Street, we have seen a significant reduction in road accidents and casualties in the city centre.

Most significantly, the seriousness of the injuries is down a dramatic 48% since the eastbound ban to Princes Street was introduced. A succession of traffic management initiatives has reduced vehicle speeds and reduced the number of accidents between vehicles and pedestrians. These have been key factors in bringing about this encouraging and continued downward trend.

The Central Edinburgh Traffic Management Proposals will bring about more reductions in traffic going through the city centre. Accidents and injuries will be reduced even more by the lower average speeds which the new proposals will also bring. Where accidents happen, the severity of injuries will also be much lower because traffic is travelling at a slower speed.

Particular locations in the city centre will have features which will have a significant beneficial impact on road safety and will improve conditions greatly for pedestrians and cyclists.

The whole scheme will help to achieve the Local Transport Strategy’s vision to have no road accidents.