What is the Vision Zero Strategy, and how will it save lives?

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority is working with local partners in the implementation of its ambitious road safety initiative, called the ‘Vision Zero Strategy’.

The aim of the project is to eradicate all fatalities and serious injuries on the county’s roads by 2040.

Five factors have been identified as key contributors to serious road collisions. These have been named the ‘fatal five’ and are made up of: driving while using a mobile phone; careless driving; drink and drug driving; driving while not wearing a seatbelt; and speeding.

Tackling these five behaviours is seen as fundamental to reducing the number of deaths and injuries on the roads. The county’s police force carries out daily enforcement to ensure that drivers are adhering to the law.

From 2021 to 2025, West Yorkshire Police caught a total of 8,714 drivers using hand-held phones. It is an offence to use a hand-held phone, tablet or similar device while driving a vehicle or riding a motorbike, and offenders can face a £200 fine and six penalty points. Drivers who passed their test in the two years before the offence will lose their licence.

The law applies even if you are stopped at traffic lights or queueing in stationary traffic.

Although driving while using a hands-free phone is not in itself an offence, it can be a serious distraction, because it takes the driver’s full attention from the road.

Mobile phone driving offences are on the increase, and there is a growing awareness of how this can lead to serious accidents involving injuries and even fatalities. It is hoped that Vision Zero will significantly reduce the number of major accidents on West Yorkshire’s road network, as well as the rest of the UK.