Mat MacDonald, UK’s new Road Safety Commissioner, aims to cut road fatalities in the West Midlands, motivated by personal experiences and road tragedies.
Mat and Beccy Marston will both serve. She is the new Active Travel Commissioner. They’ll work with the West Midlands Combined Authority. A Taskforce will aid them and help shape policy. It advises Mayor Richard Parker.
Mat formerly chaired Better Streets for Birmingham. Road safety concerns inspired him. He shared that the issue is close to his heart. He felt anxious walking with his kids, fearing a road accident. He met people who lost loved ones.
Their fear became reality, he said. Many parents can relate to this anxiety. He wants to give grieving families a voice because they don’t want others to suffer. They desire positive changes on streets to prevent further tragedies.
Mat wants to allocate resources to reduce deaths and injuries. This makes travel safer for everyone. Safer communities help everyone feel better so people will want to live, work, and study there.
The commissioners work one day a week and get paid £200 per day. The roles faced criticism initially because people felt it was a downgrade. The previous role was three days a week.
Adam Tranter quit as commissioner last year. He wanted the new mayor to create plans. Mat understands the criticism, knowing people felt the role was lessened.
Mayor Parker will review the roles if needed. He wants expertise to aid policy. The new system has two commissioners, and a panel of experts will serve on a Taskforce, bringing fresh ideas.
Mayor Parker made a new system. It can undergo changes if needed. They need to give the system a chance and must work hard to achieve its goals. They will address road safety issues.
