On average, around one person a week dies on the roads of West Yorkshire and thousands of people are injured every year. In Leeds, the Major Trauma Centre at Leeds General Infirmary is the second busiest in the country, with 28% of injuries caused by road traffic collisions. Behind those figures are families, friends and local communities who will be deeply affected.
Built on the foundations of the Leeds Vision Zero strategy, which has been underway since 2022, the West Yorkshire Vision Zero Strategy aims to eradicate all road deaths and serious injuries across West Yorkshire by 2040. It is an innovative development in how road safety will be improved and lives saved across the region.
The Vision Zero pledge was launched alongside the strategy and asks members of the public, and organisations, to sign and make a commitment to improve road safety.
LTHT joins the West Yorkshire Vision Zero Partnership—alongside the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, local councils, emergency services, road safety organisations, and campaigners—in taking shared responsibility to make the region’s roads safer.
The Trust owns seven hospital sites spread across the city of Leeds, from Leeds General Infirmary in the city centre to Wharfedale Hospital in Otley. As a whole, the organisation sees 1.8 million patients every year, with more than 20,000 members of staff employed across the Trust. It means many thousands of journeys are made every week as patients, staff, partners and visitors travel to, from and between the hospital sites.
“At Leeds Teaching Hospitals, we are committed to supporting the Vision Zero strategy, which aims to eliminate all traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2040 while promoting safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all.
“I’ve signed the Vision Zero Pledge to commit to doing all I can to improve road safety, and I’d urge you to do the same. I’m personally committing to driving below the speed limit, particularly in our busy built-up areas, to ensure the safety of children and young people especially. We all have a role in improving road safety, and together we can bring about change.”
Chief Executive, Prof. Phil Wood
LTHT has pledged to:
- Promote and support education and awareness campaigns around road safety within the Trust and the wider community.
- Collaborate with partners to improve post-collision response and trauma care.
- Utilise data and evidence to inform contributions to injury prevention and safety strategies.
- Advocate for safer roads, safer speeds, and safer vehicles through the Trust’s networks and influence.
- Engage with staff and patients in community-led efforts to achieve Vision Zero goals.
- Champion equity in road safety, ensuring all road users, regardless of background or ability, have safe access to mobility.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said: “Leeds Teaching Hospitals plays a vital role in caring for people affected by road collisions, so their commitment to Vision Zero is especially powerful.
“Every journey should be a safe one, and this pledge shows how our city’s institutions can lead by example. By working together across the city and region, we can create safer streets, protect lives, and achieve our shared goal of zero deaths or serious injuries on our roads.”
The Vision Zero strategy focuses on the safe system approach – safe roads, behaviours, speeds, vehicles and an effective post-collision response. Under each of these themes sit objectives for the short and longer term but at the strategy’s heart is the message that everyone has a responsibility to keep people safe on our roads, and we must all work together to create lasting change.
Alison Lowe OBE, Chair of the West Yorkshire Vision Zero Board and Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, said: “It’s fantastic to have Leeds Teaching Hospitals on board and showing such support for Vision Zero. Everyone has a role and by working together we will eradicate road death and serious injuries. Please do get involved, join us in signing the pledge and commit to what you’ll do to improve road safety.”
Whether you drive, walk, wheel or cycle, everyone can play a part by pledging to support Vision Zero. This could be simple things like driving at safe speeds, giving other road users enough space, always wearing your seatbelt and maintaining your vehicle. You can also dedicate your pledge in someone’s memory.
To sign the pledge, visit the West Yorkshire Combined Authority website.
To find out more about the strategy, visit the West Yorkshire Vision Zero website.