Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

MacDonald: SPAD figures lowest for November since 1990
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date 21 December 1999
source Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
type Press release

November's figures for the number of Signals Passed at Danger (SPADs) were the lowest for the month since 1990, Minister for Transport Lord Macdonald announced today.

Commenting on the figures, Lord Macdonald said:

"Whilst we should be wary of making too much of one month's figures, I am pleased to see that the November total of 56 is much improved on the total of 77 for the same month last year. It is also the lowest figure since 1990 for a leaf-fall month (October and November), when slippery rails make it more difficult for trains to grip the track.

"At the rail safety summit which John Prescott convened on 30 November, the industry reported that they had agreed a common standard of reporting and investigating SPADs. This is now in force across the industry. Drivers are to receive training in defensive driving techniques, which could also lead to a reduction in SPADs.

"I am pleased to note that all train operators have now acted on the 22 recommendations made by the HSE for reducing SPADs."

Today's figures come from the second monthly report on SPADs published by the Health and Safety Executive. This, and all future reports will be placed in the House of Commons Library.


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Railhub Archive ::: 1999-12-21 DET-001