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<p> </p><p>The Highways Agency is responsible for lighting on the strategic road network
and local authorities for street lighting in their areas. It is for the authorities
themselves to decide the level of service they wish their street lighting network
to deliver.</p><p> </p><p>No recent research has been undertaken by the Department
for Transport on the relationship between levels of street lighting and (a) road traffic
accidents and (b) injuries to pedestrians. The Department does, however, collect accident
data and this will include factors including whether or not the area was in darkness
or lit.</p><p> </p><p>In 2006 investigations were carried out by the Highways Agency
which concluded road lighting reduced the number of night-time personal accident injuries
on the strategic road network by 10% on motorways & dual carriageways, and 12%
on single carriageway roads. The Highways Agency has not conducted any specific research
on the impact of road lighting on accidents involving pedestrians due to their low
numbers on the strategic road network.</p><p> </p><p>Where the Highways Agency has
undertaken the switching off of lights at midnight at certain site locations, these
were subject to a detailed safety assessment. By selecting sites with a good safety
record and where night-time traffic flows are low, the Highways Agency is confident
there will be no adverse impact on road safety.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This
Government is providing over £4.5 billion from 2010 to 2015 to local highway authorities
in England for highways maintenance, including street lighting. If a local highway
authority is considering upgrading or improving their street lighting stock, the Department
for Transport encourages them to consider the "Invest to Save" Guidance
produced by the Association of Directors of Environment, Planning and Transport (ADEPT)
which is available from the Institution of Lighting Professionals.</p><p> </p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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