Leeds Anchors Back Vision Zero as RAC Calls for Speed-Limiting Technology

LEEDS ANCHORS UNITE ON ROAD SAFETY
AS NETWORK BACKS
WEST YORKSHIRE’S VISION ZERO CAMPAIGN

The Leeds Anchors Network, comprising of 13 of the city’s largest employers, has announced a major joint commitment to road safety by formally signing up to the city's Vision Zero campaign.

The Leeds Anchors institutions which span healthcare, education, local government, culture and utilities have pledged their commitment to play their part in helping to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries on the roads of Leeds and the wider West Yorkshire region by 2040.

This joint initiative comes as part of a broader, sustained effort by the Leeds Anchors to collaborate across key strategic areas. By pulling together on challenges—such as employment and procurement—the network continues to leverage its shared buying, hiring, and operational power for the direct benefit of Leeds residents.

By supporting the Vision Zero campaign and pledging support, the Anchors across their respective organisations will promote safe driving behaviours, ensure fleet safety standards are upheld, advocating for safer speeds in built-up areas, and supporting sustainable, active travel alternatives for staff. The network also revealed a new Active Travel Hub map which shows which active travel hubs people can use and where there are facilities to access bikes, active travel advice, or support for their journeys.

The Anchors' commitment will see individual institutions rollout internal awareness campaigns, promote the West Yorkshire Vision Zero Pledge to staff, and look at practical ways to reduce operational road risk across the city centre and surrounding neighbourhoods.

MORE THAN 4,000 DRIVERS WITH 12 OR MORE
SPEEDING POINTS STILL ALLOWED ON THE ROAD

More than 4,000 drivers who have accumulated 12 or more penalty points for speeding offences have escaped being banned and are still behind the wheel, according to new data analysed by the RAC ahead of a Parliamentary event about tackling the problem.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request obtained from the DVLA shows 4,154 drivers are still legally permitted to drive despite having crossed the threshold for losing their licences in what is known as ‘totting up’.

And of this group, there are 117 drivers who have collected more than 20 speeding points. Even more worryingly, two drivers have amassed 43 and 45 points on their licences but have been allowed by the courts to carry on driving as a ban would have caused exceptional hardship. The data also shows there are 101 drivers with 20 to 29 points and 14 with 30 to 39 points.

In an effort to clamp down on the problem of repeat and excessive speeders, the RAC is supporting the Stop Excessive Speeders campaign which is calling for the Government to give courts the power to order offenders to have to use technology fitted to their vehicles that prevents them from exceeding the speed limit again. An event in Parliament gave MPs the chance to learn about the technology.

RAC research carried out for the Government’s consultation on its recently published Road Safety Strategy found that nine-in-10 (86%) drivers are supportive of new measures being introduced to target those who speed excessively.

Similarly, research commissioned by the Stop Excessive Speeders campaign also highlights strong public support for the use of technology to help address the problem. Eight-out-of-10 drivers surveyed said they would support proposals for anyone caught excessively speeding, or who has been caught speeding multiple times, to have an 'Intervening Intelligent Speed Assistance' device fitted to their car to prevent them exceeding the limit again.

Intervening Intelligent Speed Assistance (IISA) differs significantly from the Advisory ISA systems, which are now fitted as standard to most new cars, as it actively stops a vehicle from exceeding the speed limit, except in defined emergency override situations, which are logged so they can be reviewed.

While the Government’s Road Safety Strategy looks at the benefits of Advisory ISA in the context of vehicle safety technology, it makes no reference to the potential use of Intervening ISA as part of a targeted offender intervention programme for repeat or excessive speeders. This is despite road casualty data from 2024 showing that exceeding the speed limit was a contributory factor in 20% of fatal collisions.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “It’s very concerning that so many repeat speeders have been allowed to carry on driving despite amassing 12 points or more which would normally lead to them losing their licences – and for very good reason given that speeding is one of the leading factors in the most serious collisions on our roads.

“A better solution for people like this who have demonstrated a compelling need to the court to be allowed to continue driving would be for them to have devices fitted to their vehicles that prevent them speeding again. Our research also identifies strong support among drivers for those who speed excessively to have to have these devices.

“We urge the Government to consider giving courts the power to order repeat and excessive speeders to have Intervening ISA devices fitted to all their vehicles. This will save lives and reduce the number of speed-related collisions on our roads – something which completely aligns with the casualty reduction targets listed in the Road Safety Strategy.”