RAC reaction to new street lighting report - local councils should make 'smart choices' on lighting

RAC head of external affairs Pete Williams said: “This is an insightful report into the effects of reduced street lighting, although it is important to remember that only just over a third of councils in England and Wales provided data, a point that the researchers have noted.

“While the findings suggest that crime and road accidents have not increased as a result of unlit streets, what is not measured is the fear of crime, or fear of more accidents in these locations. This begs the question: are residents in those areas where lights have been switched off now less inclined to go out? This assertion is supported by an accompanying report from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, which indicates residents are concerned when lights are switched off, and plunging the streets into darkness makes some people feel less safe – especially among older age groups.

“Rather than introducing a blanket ‘switch off’ of street lights, we advocate local councils reviewing the lighting they have in place and making smart choices in order to maintain residents’ sense of safety, while also saving money. This could mean fewer street lights in some areas, or a switch to LED technology that offers a better quality of light at a lower cost.

“This report therefore provides councils with an opportunity to do some intelligent thinking on street lighting, in order to achieve the important objectives of maintaining or improving the safety of pedestrians and road users.”