Welcome to Road Safety Wales
11/3/10
BikeSafe workshops are designed to enhance the skills of all riders who have already passed their tests and are particularly suitable for those that may be returning to biking after a period of absence. Workshops ‘bridge the gap’ between general riding and professional tuition. They are run by Police Advanced Riders who are all keen motorcyclists both in work and socially and fully understand the enjoyment people experience when out on the open road. BikeSafe is a great opportunity to get the essential information and skills bikers need to be safer on the road.
The workshops are a mix of theory and practical sessions and will include on-road assessment rides, information videos, motorcycle-related first aid and other relevant issues.
Gwent workshops cost £100.00 for two days. This year workshops have been planned mid-week as well as weekends. They run from two Centres, the dates are as follows:
Cwmbran: 10/11 April, 8/9 May, 5/6 June, 3/4 July (Ladies only), 4/5 September
Malpas : 29/30 April, 26/27 May, 21/22 June, 24/25 July, 25/26 September
South Wales 2 day workshops are run from four Centres. Riders who live/work in or live inqualify for a subsidy from their Local Authority, reducing the cost to £20 per rider. For Riders who do not fulfill these criteria, the cost is £100.00.
Swansea: 24/25 April, 26/27 June
Cardiff: 22/23 May, 17/18 July
Vale of Glamorgan: 24/25 July, 28/29 August, 18/19 September
Neath Port Talbot: April 17/18, May 15/16, May 29/30, June 19/20, July 10/11, August 14/15,
September 11/12 - 01639 686828 Neath Port Talbot booking line.
Dyfed Powys are running their one day workshops from four Centres this year. The cost is £50.00
Aberystwyth: 8 May
Haverfordwest: 19 June
Llandrindod Wells: 11September
Carmarthen: 9 October
are subsidising one day workshops for residents, at a cost of £15 per rider:
24 April, 5 June, 23 October - 01597 826979 Powys booking line.
Thanks to funding from the North Wales Local Authorities, FREE Bikesafe workshops (worth £100) are available - subject to availability of places and until funds are exhausted. The free place is offered once only.
Riders can book onto either a 2 day motorcycle "Road Management Skills" course, which involves both an indoor session and a practical riding assessment/demonstration OR a FREE BikeSafe workshop and First Bike on Scene (FBoS) course, which gives riders instruction in motorcycle related First Aid.
BikeSafe only
Colwyn Bay: 27/28 March, 17/18 April, 24/25 April, 6/7 May, 15/16 May, 29/30 May, 19/20 June (Ladies only) 3/4 July, 10/11 July, 17/18 July, 14/15 August, 28/29 August, 4/5 September, 14/15 September, 27/28 September, 9/10 October, 16/17 October, 6/7 November, 11/12 December
Greenfield Centre: 24/25 June
Gwynedd: 24/25 July, 18/19 September, 30/31 October
BikeSafe and FBoS
Colwyn Bay: 24/25 April, 29/30 May, 10/11 July, 28/29 August, 9/10 October, 16/17 October, 6/7 November, 11/12 December
Gwynedd: 24/25 July
To find out more about BikeSafe throughout Wales, please visit the BikeSafe website www.bikesafe.co.uk
11/3/10
A series of child safety fun days are being held during the Easter holidays by Carmarthenshire’s Road Safety Unit. The main aim of the day is to check as many child car seats as possible, as over recent years it has been found that up to eight out of 10 car seats checked have been fitted incorrectly.
As well as learning about road safety, children will have the chance to meet Gari Gosafe, Sali Mali and Sam Tan along with some of the Scarlets players. There will be magic and fun with Mr Tricks the clown. Other attractions will include a bouncy castle and ‘love food-hate waste’ cookery demonstration. Free family swimming will be available at the Leisure Centres on completion of the car seat check (time restrictions may apply).
The free fun days will take place from 10am to 4pm at:
• Newcastle Emlyn Leisure Centre on Tuesday April 13th,
• Carmarthen Leisure Centre on Wednesday April 14th,
• Amman Valley Leisure Centre on Thursday April 15th,
• Llanelli Leisure Centre on Friday April 16th,
The Road Safety Unit has invited other agencies and businesses to take part including the Community Safety Partnership, Flying Start, Dyfed Powys Police, Fire service, Community First, CYCA and Pure Baby Organics.
9/3/10
These Road Shows intended to get Monmouthshire Mums off to a Flying Start, and Flying Start was indeed one of the many organisations on hand to chat and provide advice and support.
Midwives were also a very welcome partner, bearing mind some of the babies were days away from making a debut appearance.
It certainly wasn’t an occasion to employ any shock tactics about Road Safety but there was plenty of information and personal advice given about safety in the car for parents to be and new babies.
08/03/2010
Neighbourhood Policing Teams across Carmarthenshire are helping to put the brakes on speeding drivers. The Community Safety Partnership has purchased a speed radar gun for local Neighbourhood Policing Teams to use in communities where residents are concerned about speeding.
Drivers caught travelling over the speed limit will be prosecuted; but it is hoped the move will help to reduce speed generally and improve road safety for everyone living in the area.
Chairman of the partnership’s Road Safety Action Group Trevor Sage said: “Road safety is a key priority for the partnership which is working hard to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.
“Speeding is a major safety issue and is a huge concern for local communities. As a result, much work is being done across Carmarthenshire not only to reduce the speed of our traffic but also to educate drivers about the consequences of driving too fast.
“Hopefully this will make motorists think twice about the dangers they pose and help us make the roads safer for everyone.”
The Community Safety Partnership includes the council and the police as well as a number of other agencies and its aim is to make Carmarthenshire a safer place for both residents and visitors.
CAPTION: Neighbourhood Policing officers PC Wendy Janas and PC Hayley Oliver use the speed radar gun in Llwynhendy
Picture: Jeff Connell
9/3/10
Gwent Police is urging motorcyclists to take care and ride safely following three road traffic collisions in the Gwent area on Sunday 7th March.
Gwent has some excellent motorcycle routes and together with the type of fine weather we have seen recently, these may attract many riders to the area.
The details of the collisions are as follows:
The first was occurred on King Street in Brynmawr and involved a motorbike and a car. The 17 year old male rider of the motorbike was taken to Nevill Hall Hospital where he remains, receiving treatment for fractures and facial injuries. He is in a stable condition.
The second occurred on the B4235, Chepstow. It involved a motorbike and a mini bus. The rider of the motorbike was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital with leg injuries and has since been released.
The third collision occurred on the B4235 in Itton, near Chepstow. It was a one vehicle collision where a motorbike collided with street furniture. The rider was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital with minor injuries and has since been released.
Motorcyclists who intend to take full advantage of fine and sunny conditions over the spring and summer months are urged by officers to drive safely, responsibly and within their ability. Be aware of the road conditions and ensure that your vehicle is in a road worthy condition.
Gwent Police will be running a series of "BikeSafe" workshops between April and September. These workshops, run by Police Advanced Riders, are aimed at motorbike enthusiasts and are designed to enhance the skills of motorcyclists who have already passed their test. They have proved to be of benefit to riders of all levels of experience.
The workshops are a mix of theory and practical sessions and will include on-road assessment rides, information videos, motorcycle-related first aid and other relevant issues.
The workshops run from the Road Safety Resource Centre, Edlogan Way, Cwmbran. For more information and to make a booking please visit the BikeSafe website www.bikesafe.co.uk or call RoSPA on 02920 250600.
9/3/10
The word Stammtisch is German and means a regular get-together or meeting. In 2000, it was applied to a truckers surgery that was arranged by German traffic police to give truck drivers the opportunity to speak directly to the police on a range of subjects that directly affected them, in confidence.
Following similar events in the Dyfed Powys Police Force region, the first to take place in Greater Gwent saw traffic police working with Road Safety at Magor Services. A range of drivers were more than happy to spend some of their rest time asking advice or just chatting after hours of solitary “trucking”.
From Eddie Stobart drivers, to Latvian drivers and even a military convoy, this “get together” showed the need for creating communication opportunities.
Future events will take place on the first Wednesday of every month at Magor and Raglan Service Stations.
8/3/10
Budding young road safety experts are taking part in this year’s exciting Rhondda Cynon Taf council challenge! Schoolchildren throughout the county borough have signed up to the exciting annual event that will test their knowledge on how to avoid potential dangers on the road.
Winners of the 2009 competition visited the Rhondda Cynon Taf Mayor’s Chambers in Pontypridd recently to receive their prizes along with the winner of the recent Christmas Card Competition.
Together the children from Darren Park Primary, Penrhiwceiber Primary, Ysgol Gynradd Pont Sion Norton, Porth Junior, Ffynnon Taf Primary and Blaengwawr Primary schools were welcomed by Mayor Cllr Robert Smith.
And it was decided that this year’s special competition would be held in the impressive surroundings of the Victorian council chamber!
Cllr Smith explained, “It was delightful to meet the winners of the 2009 competition and to welcome them to the Chambers in Pontypridd which certainly impressed them greatly.
“Therefore we felt it was proper to arrange for the Grand Finals of this year’s competition to take place in the Chamber itself. Once again we look forward with great anticipation to the excellent competitive skills of our children when it comes to their expert knowledge of road safety.”
The Council’s Road Safety Team have invited all schools in the county borough to participate in the 2010 competition with a deadline for entries on April 21st.
Children from Year 5 or 6 will be taking part and each participating school has been supplied with a pack which contains a Highway Code for Young Road Users and test papers with 28 standard questions for the pupils to complete.
Teachers then send the results to the Road Safety Unit and the six schools with the highest percentages are entered into the Grand Final at the Municipal Buildings in Pontypridd on Wednesday May 12th 2010. The winning team will represent the county borough in the South Wales Police Final at Bridgend in June.
8/3/10
A creative stance has been taken to solve anti social behaviour and bullying problems on secondary school buses in North Wales. Denbighshire County Council, which is leading on the Zoom project on behalf of North Wales local authorities, has installed four entertainment systems equipped with age appropriate DVD’s and music, to keep the students engaged and sat in their seats.
Selected bus routes in Denbighshire, Flintshire, Anglesey and Gwynedd are entertaining students on their way home as an experiment to see if positive early intervention can reduce bullying and driver distraction; with promising results so far.
In Denbighshire, Zoom has teamed up with Ysgol Dinas Bran, Llangollen and GHA buses, and has equipped the school run with music concerts, block busters movies and nature documentaries. The objective is to make the trip a pleasant experience and lessen bullying which can lead to school truancy.
Berwyn Davies, GHA Coaches Operations Manager, said: “It works!, A driver turns his back on 70 kids and drives. If we can keep them occupied and entertained on the trip home they are more likely to be well behaved and less likely to cause vandalism or distract the driver”.
The number of reported anti social behaviour incidents have increased over the last few years. The trial is a radical approach to reducing driver distraction, bullying, and antisocial behaviour on the home run. The Zoom project, supported by the Welsh Assembly Government, is underway in all six North Wales counties.
Stuart Davies, Joint Head of Highways & Infrastructure for Conwy and Denbighshire said: ‘At the end of each school day students board the bus for home animated and energetic, and noise levels can be quite distracting for bus drivers. This may seem a radical approach to school transport but if it reduces poorer behaviour and stops bullying it is well worth it. In the USA, entertainment systems are already used to reduce antisocial behaviour, they also report positive results.’
This trial is to be monitored for one year, and assessed as to whether it is an effective form of behaviour management. The expected outcomes are a reduction in noise levels, bullying, truancy and driver distraction.
5/3/10
A Llanelli woman who failed to stop when a Lollipop Llady was helping a school pupil to cross the road has received penalties totaling £335. She was also given five penalty points on her driving licence.
Karen Williams, of Swiss Valley, Llanelli, pleaded guilty to Ammanford Magistrates on March 4th 2010 for driving without due care and attention when passing a School Crossing in Llandeilo Road, Llanybie.
The 32-year-old was travelling along the road near Llandybie CP School when she committed the offence. Lollipop Lady Nan Samsudeen had clearly displayed her stop sign and was helping pupils to cross the road. But Williams failed to acknowledge the sign and continued to drive along the road putting the Crossing Patrol Officer and children at risk.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s Road Safety Team supported Dyfed Powys Police in prosecuting Williams for contravening Crossing Patrol regulations.
Magistrates fined Williams £235 with additional costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £15, also imposing five penalty points on her driving licence.
Carmarthenshire County Council executive board member for Transport and Environment Cllr Haydn Jones said: “Child safety is of paramount importance and as a county we will not tolerate motorists ignoring Crossing Patrol Officers when they are carrying out this vital role within the community.
“Failing to stop at a crossing not only endangers the patrol but puts children and other adults at risk. This case demonstrates that we will not hesitate to take action against any individual who fails to stop when a School Crossing Patrol officer asks them to do so.”
County Road Safety Manager Keith Griffiths said: “When you see a School Crossing Patrol officer step into the road ahead of you displaying the Stop sign, you must stop to allow people to cross the road (Rule 87 of the Highway Code).
The law is quite specific. It is an offence under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 if you do not stop when signaled to do so by a School Crossing officer.
• A fine of up to £1,000
• A minimum of three points on your driving licence, or even
• disqualification
Drivers should always stop a safe distance away from the Crossing Patrol.
After people have crossed the road, drivers must not move off until the Patrol Officer has returned to the pavement and signaled them to do so.
Drivers should take special care when near schools, even if there is no Crossing Patrol in operation.
Rule 184 of the Highway Code says:
“Near Schools. Drive slowly and be particularly aware of young cyclists and pedestrians. In some places, there may be a flashing amber signal below the 'School' warning sign, which tells you that there may be children crossing the road ahead.”
1/3/10
The Scarlets are giving high profile backing to help teach children in Carmarthenshire about the importance of road safety.
The rugby region has joined forces with Carmarthenshire County Council’s Road Safety Unit and its mascot Gari Gosafe to help boost awareness and educate pupils about road and car safety – including crossing roads, being seen when out and about, cycling safely, walking to school and staying safe in the car.
And the popular and colourful seven foot Gari Gosafe mascot recently meet up with his Scarlets counterpart ‘Cochyn’, some Scarlets players and their children to launch the Scarlets support initiative.
The Scarlets will be producing a range of road safety materials and education packs in association with the Council that will be distributed throughout the schools of Carmarthenshire on Scarlets visits and during the region’s packed summer touring schedule. The Scarlets will be raising road safety messages through a range of initiatives including player profile cards, wall charts, team posters, car freshners, sticker books and stickers and signage.
Scarlets and Wales international Dafydd Jones joined up with Gari and his young children to kick start the new campaign.
Dafydd Jones said: “Becoming a Dad, you are much more aware of keeping your children safe in the car and when you’re out and about. It’s really important to keep the message out there and with Gari Gosafe, it’s a brilliant and fun way to highlight that amongst younger children.
“We’ll be doing all we can to help promote road safety in the coming months.”
Gari Gosafe is the brainchild of road safety officers at Carmarthenshire County council.
Road safety officer Keith Griffiths said: “The Gari Gosafe campaign is aimed at children who have gone to school for the first time.
“It is an exciting time in their lives but with this new freedom comes dangers like roads and traffic.
“It is vital to educate children and we are constantly looking at new ways of doing this. We are delighted that the Scarlets are being so proactive in helping us spread the message and to have high profile players backing our work is great to see!”
Julie David, Hospitality and Marketing Manager at the Scarlets said: “We will be taking out the messages about Road Safety in as many of our community sessions with school children as possible.
“We have a busy community activity programme at the Scarlets and it’s an important part of maintaining our close links with our big Scarlets family and supporters young and older. As part of our networking, we are delighted to support important initiatives when we are out and about – such as promoting road safety to children.
“Our campaign with the Council will highlight a number of key areas to prevent any accidents including keeping safe by being seen, crossing roads safely, staying alert walking out and about, cycling safely, how to stay safe in the car and walking to school.”
1/3/10
Gwent Police officers have been patrolling the M4 motorway as part of a focussed operation to target irresponsible/ illegal driving. Roads Policing officers used unmarked vehicles to identify drivers committing offences. Offences were filmed and the footage may be used for evidential purposes.
57 road traffic offences were detected during the operation which took place over 8 days throughout January and February this year.
Offences detected included driving without a seatbelt, using a mobile phone while driving, careless driving (including one person flossing their teeth while driving), vehicle defects (including light failures), vehicles being driven over their weight limitation, vehicles being driven carrying insecure loads, no driving licence and a learner driver towing a load.
All offences were dealt with either by a fixed penalty notice or the driver being reported for summons.
Inspector of Roads Policing for Gwent Police, Lee Ford said;
“It is very concerning that a number of drivers are driving irresponsibly and carelessly on our motorways.
The potential risks that some of the offences detected as part of this operation can have on not only the safety of the driver involved, but also other road users, should never be underestimated.
You may think that you are a very experienced, competent driver but it only takes a couple of seconds for your attention to be distracted and result in very serious consequences.
Road safety laws are in place for the benefit of all drivers and road users and should always be adhered to. Responsibility to ensure that your vehicle is road worthy and your documentation is in order should never be neglected.”
Officers will be repeating the exercise throughout the year.
4/2/10
The Welsh Assembly Government has published maps showing the location of road traffic casualties in each Local Authority area in Wales. These maps identify where casualties are clustered together and where they are more widely dispersed.
The number of casualty markers may differ from the total number of casualties reported for the following reasons:
- Multiple casualty accidents will just display a single marker for the highest severity casualty.
- Inaccuracies with recorded grid references may not allow the location to be plotted.
The maps cover car occupant casualties, motorcyclist casualties and pedestrian casualties. They show fatalities, and serious and slight casualties; they also show the major roads and settlements in each Local Authority area.
To view click here
3/2/10
THINK! are keen to work with a wide range of partners who can provide valuable support in communicating road safety messages to the public. As part of its commitment to raising awareness of the risks of driving whilst using prescription and over the counter medicines, DfT has developed a pilot partnership with Boots in consultation with a number of organisations including the British Medical Association.
One million leaflets will be distributed through 2,600 Boots stores while medicine bags will be labelled with stickers prompting drivers to check with their doctor or pharmacist that they are safe to drive while taking their medication.
Those taking medicine should follow the instructions properly and continue to take it as directed. Anyone with questions about their medication should contact a health professional for advice.
If the pilot proves to be successful the opportunity could be opened out to pharmacies nationwide. If you are interested in accessing the materials, please email think@23red.com.
More from DfT here
1/02/01
A hard-hitting THINK! campaign reminding drivers of the potentially fatal consequences of not wearing a seatbelt was launched today by Road Safety Minister Paul Clark.
The £1.3 million campaign shows that if you have a crash without wearing a seat belt you actually experience three crashes, even at everyday speeds like 30mph. First, your car crashes and stops. Second - because there's nothing to stop you moving - your body carries on and hits the inside of the car. Third, you stop but your internal organs keep moving, hitting the inside of your body and can rupture under the force of the impact.
Paul Clark said:
"If you are involved in an accident while not wearing a seatbelt then your body experiences a series of three collisions damaging vital internal organs. This campaign reminds drivers that - no matter how short their journey or how slowly they are driving - they are risking their life if they set off without putting their seatbelt on.
"I hope this campaign will help everyone realise that they need to belt up every time they get in a car."
You are twice as likely to die in a crash if you are not wearing a seat belt and about one life could be saved in Britain each day if everyone always wore a belt.
The THINK! campaign - which includes television, radio, cinema, and outdoor advertising - is based on detailed research into people's seat belt wearing habits which showed that people are less likely to wear seat beats on low speed, short journeys on familiar roads, even though they are still risking their lives in these cases.
The advert is so realistic and graphic it can only be shown after 9pm. An edited version will be used for earlier showings - describing but not showing the damage to internal organs.
26/1/10
Road safety cash totalling over £50k is being ploughed into safety schemes in Swansea in a bid to improve road safety for pedestrians. Swansea Council has successfully bid for the cash as part of the overall funding made available by the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership.
If approved by Swansea Council's Cabinet, the money will be used to install speed indicator display signs (SIDs) at key sites throughout the city. The SID signs will display information to oncoming motorists in a bid to educate drivers of the speed limits on routes that regularly suffer from vehicles travelling in excess of the local limit.
Permanent signs will be erected at Swansea Road in Llewitha and Gorseinon Road. These will supplement signs that have already been placed on other routes in Swansea over recent years. Additional mobile signs will also be purchased which can be utilised to support speed enforcement programmes throughout Swansea.
Some of the money has already been used to reduce the speed limit on Cwmbach Road which runs between Cockett and Waunarlwydd.
Further funds have been used to install a hi-tech digital speed camera at the junction of Sketty Lane and Mumbles Road. The camera is one of only two in Wales that can monitor motorists who jump red lights as well as monitor the speed of motorists through the junction.
John Hague, Cabinet Member for the Environment in Swansea Council, said: "The funding is vital to Swansea and will help us address some concerns that communities have with inappropriate speeds.
"I would urge all drivers to drive responsibly and stick to appropriate speed limits - especially near local schools where young children might be crossing roads."
Jim Moore, Manager of the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership, said: "Our priority as a partnership is to always look to reduce casualties, to educate motorists and to influence drivers behaviour and the SIDs do just that. Feedback from motorists is positive with many commenting that they didn't actually realise they were going over the speed limit until the sign flashed. We will continue to look at and fund engineering initiatives in a bid to drive down speeds on our roads."
25/1/10A unit set up to check commercial vehicles travelling on the roads of north Wales has issued £6,000 worth of fines in its first week. The most common problem was false documents and licences.
One German vehicle, with a Spanish trailer, was found to be carrying chemicals illegally, and two Romanian drivers had false documents. The North Wales Police and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) unit is the first of its type in the country.
It was set up following public concerns about commercial vehicles travelling along the A55 to Holyhead Port.
"Foreign wagons area big concern for the public," said Sgt Ifan Jones, who is responsible for running the unit. He added that 750 trucks each day came through Holyhead Port, with a large number of drivers being forced to drive illegally because of the pressures imposed on them by their bosses, who are suffering because of the state of the economy.
Officers will act on intelligence whenever possible, but also be involved in operations dedicated to specific areas, such as checking taxis and school buses, he added.
"It's all about addressing public concerns," said Sgt Jones.
"Foreign drivers have been highlighted, but we will be targeting all commercial vehicles - and for every 10 wagons we stop there is a fault with at least six of them," he added.
Helen O'Grady from VOSA said the partnership with the police was good because VOSA officers have no powers of arrest or the right to exceed the speed limit.
"This unit now enables us to check more vehicles in a shorter space of time," she added.
Information suggesting that commercial vehicles are flouting the law can be passed to the Commercial Vehicle Unit - contact Sgt Ifan Jones, PC Nick Power, PC Meurig Jones or Helen O’Grady on 101 if in Wales, or 0845 607 1001 (Welsh line) or 0845 607 1002 (English line).
Alternatively you can text 66767 or e-mail northwalespolice@north-wales.police.uk.
22/1/10
More drivers than ever before have been breath tested during the All Wales Christmas Drink Drive campaign. Throughout Wales, almost 55,000 drivers were breath tested by the four Welsh forces in the campaign, which ran from 1st December 2009 to 1st January 2010 - compared to over 36,000 in 2008.
The campaign was launched in Caernarfon by the four Welsh forces and the Welsh Assembly Government, with the support of the families affected by the fatal collision which occurred in Menai Bridge in February 2009.
Out of these 2,936 tests were administered to under-25s which resulted in 38 arrests.
Deputy Chief Constable Ian Shannon said: “It is disappointing that drivers still put their own lives and other road users’ lives at risk, just to have a drink, with over 600 people caught over the drink drive limit throughout Wales during the month-long campaign.
“We will continue to target drink and drug drivers throughout the year. Our enforcement is not seasonal. There has been public support for this approach, and together we can help make our roads safer for all.”
Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said: “We are determined to do everything we can to make the roads of Wales safer; however we cannot do this alone. We need the support of the public to be able to make a real impact. I urge everyone to play their part – drink drive limits cannot be calculated and the only safe way is for you not to drink and drive.”
21/1/1
0
22 - 24 February 2010
Holiday Inn Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon
The Government has proposed that Great Britain adopts a new long-term vision for road safety: 'Making Britain’s roads the safest in the world'. From 2010, Britain will be leaving the current road safety strategy and target period which began in 2000 and entering a new one, with fresh updated priority areas and new ambitious casualty reduction targets.
RoSPA’s Road Safety Congress in 2000 focused on the lessons the UK could learn from how other countries, and international organisations (such as the UN WHO and the EC) tackle death and injury on the road. Our Road Safety Congress 2010 will again explore what we can learn from how other countries address road safety. The programme will include examples of the following from other countries and international organisations:
- National, regional and global road safety strategies
- Case studies from individual countries of innovative road safety practice
- Examples of how some countries have made major road safety improvements in recent years at both national and local level
- Different approaches to those used in the UK
- The work and views of organisations, such as WHO, the UN etc.
Jump to:
Who should attend?
Delegate packages
Venue
Programme
Book a Place Online
Download Booking Form
19/1/10 
Pembrokeshire's roads policing unit spent 2009 keeping the roads of the county safe. The Roads Policing Unit caught 141 more people driving whilst using a mobile phone than the previous year, issued 30 more speeding fines and took 385 vehicles off the road for not having the correct documentation.
Pembrokeshire division also increased the number of breath tests it carried out by over 3,000 but 65 less drivers were caught driving while over the legal alcohol limit.
Inspector Andy Phillips said: "Hopefully the message about drink driving is finally getting through.
"However we have seen an increase in other offences such as driving without the correct documents. This can result in your car being seized from it so we urge people to obey by all the laws of the road or there maybe expensive consequences."
The unit along with the Armed Response Unit also detected 181 crimes, arrested 165 people for drug offences and issued 58 cannabis warnings.
Inspector Phillips added: "The RPU and ARV are proactive in their approach and aim to deny criminals use of the roads and keep the roads of the county safe.
"In 2010 we will continue to target those who flout the law."
18/1/10
Residents of Aberaman will have the opportunity to view exciting new road safety plans for their community. An exhibition is being held on Wednesday January 20th from 11am to 7pm at the Apostolic Church in Club Street Aberaman to inform residents of the proposed Aberaman Safe Routes in the Community project.
These works are due to be carried out during the 2010 summer period and will consist of 20 mph zones, speed humps, raised junctions and raised tables at existing pedestrian crossings. They will also include footway works in Gwawr Street and additional waiting restrictions in Club Street, Gwawr Street and at the junctions of Cardiff Road with Curre Street and Abergwawr Street.
These works are a Welsh Assembly Government initiative, organized by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, to promote a safer community and encourage the use of more sustainable modes of transport.
Councillor Andrew Morgan, Cabinet Member for Transport and Customer Care, said: “The proposed works will bring important road safety improvements in this part of Aberaman and residents have the opportunity to see for themselves what is involved at the public exhibition we have arranged.”
14/1/10
After weeks of travelling in snow and ice, drivers are being warned about foggy conditions predicted in some parts of the country today and tomorrow.
When visibility is reduced, an accident involving one vehicle can quickly involve many others, especially if they are driving too fast and too close to one another. Previous multiple-vehicle pile-ups demonstrate that many drivers do not adjust their driving sufficiently for the conditions.
Kevin Clinton, RoSPA’s head of road safety, said: “The ability to see and to hear clearly is vital for drivers. Fog is the most potentially dangerous of all weather conditions. Freezing fog - when poor visibility is compounded by the road surface being slippery - is a driver's worst nightmare.
“Drivers should follow weather forecasts and general advice about driving conditions, and should avoid driving in fog unless absolutely necessary.
“If you must drive in fog, allow plenty of extra time for your journey. Before setting out, check that your car is in good working order, particularly that all the lights, including fog lights, work.
“Reduce your speed and keep your distance from the vehicle in front. You should always be able to stop in the distance you can see in front of you. If the fog closes in, lose more speed.”
- Switch on headlights and fog lamps if visibility is reduced
- If you can see the vehicles to your rear, the drivers behind will be able to see you - switch off your rear fog lamps to avoid dazzling them. Think of them as rear main beams
- Use the demister and windscreen wipers. Remember that fog also makes the road wet and slippery
- Do not “hang on” to the rear lights of the car in front as you will be too close to be able to brake safely
- Switch off distracting noise and open the window slightly so that you can listen for other traffic, especially at crossroads and junctions
- Beware of speeding up as soon as visibility improves slightly. In patchy fog you could find yourself “driving blind” again only moments later. Always imagine that there is a broken down vehicle just on the other side of the fog bank.
- If you break down in fog, inform the police and get the vehicle off the road as soon as possible. If possible, avoid parking on the road in fog and never leave a vehicle without warning lights of some kind if it is on the wrong side of the road.
See www.rospa.com/drivertraining/winter/ for more winter driving tips from RoSPA.
11/1/10
A group of schoolchildren has hit the ice at Swansea's Waterfront Winterland in the name of road safety. The year one schoolchildren from Llangyfelach Primary School were the lucky winners of a road safety colouring competition organised by Swansea Council's Road Safety Team.
The competition was organised as part of the Assembly-funded Kerbcraft initiative which provides practical road safety education to children between five and seven years old.
The prize for the competition winners was VIP treatment at Rocky's Ice Rink alongside Rocky the Road Safety Rooster.
Mike Flynn, Head Teacher at Llangyfelach Primary School, said: "The children had a wonderful day and really enjoyed themselves with Rocky.
"We've had a Kerbcraft coordinator at our school for five years who has helped to pass on vital road safety messages to the children.
"It's a very valuable scheme which will help provide the children with all the skills they need to enable them to keep safe on roads."
The Council is hoping more people will volunteer their services to help deliver Kerbcraft in schools throughout Swansea.
Carys Price, Swansea Council's Child Pedestrian Training Coordinator, said: "Kerbcraft is a really important initiative and we would like to offer it to every school in the city.
"The scheme depends on the help of volunteers and, without their assistance, we would not be able to deliver Kerbcraft training to all our young children."
If you think you can help contact Carys Price or Lindsey Hill on (01792) 636142.
11/1/10
A new, hard-hitting road safety theatre production has been shown in a number of Flintshire schools.
Walking Forward Theatre Company’s play, Wasted, is aimed at Year 11 pupils and is funded through Flintshire County Council’s Road Safety Unit and the Welsh Assembly Government.
The powerful and ground breaking drama explores the issues of drug driving. It addresses some of the moral issues linked to driving under the influence of drugs.
Frankie, Jay and Andy are three friends in the prime of their youth. Clubbing, football and hanging out with the girls are just a few of their favourite hobbies, so when Frankie’s girlfriend Stacey and her best friend Lucy agree to join the boys for one of their ‘big nights out’, arrangements are made to guarantee a good night is had by all.
Everything is set for a Friday night to remember but their evening soon takes a tragic turn when Andy crashes his car. In the aftermath friendships are tested and questions asked as the group struggle to deal with the consequences of an accident that should never have happened.
Flintshire County Council’s executive member for Environment, Councillor Tony Sharps, said: “We hope that the powerful message of this play will really hit home to the young people of Flintshire.”
For further information visit www.walkingforward.co.uk
7/1/10
The continuing high standards achieved by Vale of Glamorgan Council School Crossing Patrols (SCPs) have once again been recognised at their annual awards ceremony held in Barry, which also included, for the first time, the volunteers involved with the child pedestrian training scheme Kerbcraft in Vale Primary Schools.
Everyone, whether acting in a paid or voluntary role, was thanked for their dedication and commitment to Road Safety and commended on their professionalism and enthusiasm in helping ensure that children and adults alike are provided with safe crossing points throughout the Vale and are given the skills to ensure that they remain safe whilst they are out and about on today’s roads.
Rob Thomas, Head of Planning and Transportation, paid tribute to the ‘lollipop’ ladies & gentlemen of the Vale for ‘carrying out their duties with an enviable disposition and a cheery smile’……’with signs held high and brightly coloured coats you are superb representatives of the Council and a welcoming sight to pedestrians….’
He also thanked the Kerbcraft volunteers who have freely given up their time over the past 7 years, put on their yellow jackets and walked with over 3,000 children out and about on the streets outside their schools teaching them how to remain safe.
Several awards were then presented to those School Crossing Patrols and Kerbcraft volunteers, whose efforts were particularly appreciated over the past twelve months:
Llantwit Major, St Athan & Rhws – Val Western – from the Porthkerry Road post near Rhws Primary School after many years outside Holton Primary School, she is set to retire in the New Year after nearly 20 years service.
Barry West (Buttrills, High Street & Romilly areas) – Tony Masters – over 3 years as a patrol, but has already made a big impression on Port Road and especially outside Ysgol Sant Curig which he is temporarily covering.
Barry East (Cadoxton, Colcot & Holton areas) – Sandra Riggott – with 6 years under her belt, she is very popular with the residents on Winston Road and the children attending Colcot Primary School.
Penarth, Sully & Dinas Powys – Michael Campbell-Jones – only 20 months in post on Lavernock Road, but already has great attention to detail in helping the pupils of Evenlode Primary School, amongst others, cross this busy stretch.
Two firsts – the first time that 2 Officers have jointly won the award and the first time that the top award has ever been retained in its’ 23-year history!!
The famous SCP Shield was presented to Alison Richardson, 2008’s Winner and Lynne Hughes, with over 31 years of service, who both patrol outside Eagleswell Primary School in Llantwit Major.
They have made a magnificent contribution to Road Safety both inside and outside the school, and are well-known and well-loved by children, parents and staff alike!! The two ladies have been very innovative and have worked with Eagleswell to recognise, acknowledge and promote the good behaviour of pupils crossing with them and to encourage more to walk to their school by awarding ‘house points’.
(N.B. It is interesting to note that this is the fourth time in five years that the School Crossing Patrol of the Year Award has gone to Llantwit Major. Sheila Allen (St Illtyd) won the title in 2005, Alex Daw (Ham Lane) won it in 2007 & Alison Richardson (Eagleswell) for her first time in 2008. Is there something in the air (or on the roads ?!) down Llantwit-way…???!!)
For Kerbcraft, the first-time winners were:
Johanna Hopkins, a former teacher who has been volunteering since Kerbcraft began 7 years ago. In her ‘spare time’ she enjoys bowls and golf (where she is Lady Captain at Brynhill this year !!) as well as being a governor at Rhws Primary School where she helps with the child pedestrian training.
Johanna Jones, a lady who has also been there since the beginning at Peterston-Super-Ely Primary School, where she has also assisted with the Gardening Club and numerous other projects. She has followed her twin grandchildren right through the school, and despite the fact that they have both moved on to secondary education, she stills lends a helping hand (or two) every week to the child pedestrian training.
After a DVD presentation of Anti-Drink Drive films produced by pupils of Barry Comprehensive and Bryn Hafren Schools, a light-hearted interactive quiz and buffet followed, which was hosted by the Vale of Glamorgan Council Road Safety Team.
If anyone is interested in becoming a School Crossing Patrol Officer, there are currently vacancies in Barry, St Athan & Cowbridge.
The rate of pay is £6.38 per hour with a half pay retainer paid during school holidays. Working hours are up to 2 hours per day/10 hours per week.
For further information please contact Karen Stokes in the Vale of Glamorgan Council Road Safety Unit or ring Contact OneVale on 01446 700111 for an application pack.
If you would like to volunteer to help the Kerbcraft Scheme in local primary schools, please contact Jayne Jenkins on the above number.
Who knows next year – YOU may be part of the Annual Awards Presentation …??!!
7/1/10
Welsh Police Forces are reminding motorists to take precautions when driving on icy or snow covered roads.
With the current low temperatures, motorists are urged to be alert and to drive according to the conditions during the winter conditions.
Follow these simple tips to help keep yourselves and other road users safe:
• Check that your car is up to the journey, tyres are correctly inflated and in good condition, and that your lights are clean and working properly. Be seen and be safe.
• Ensure anti-freeze has been added to the radiator and make sure you have sufficient windscreen washer fluid.
• Tell a friend or relative where you are going.
• Take a spade, flask of hot drink, torch, mobile phone (fully charged or with charger), blanket and appropriate outdoor clothing.
• Slow down on icy or snowy roads and leave a greater distance between you and the car in front.
• Allow extra time for your journey.
• Ensure your petrol or diesel tank is sufficiently full.
• Check your route with organisations such as RAC Travel and AA Road-watch, and tune into local radio before you set out.
• Use your mobile phone if you need to access the emergency services for help.
18/12/09
Road safety champions in Swansea have been given a special Christmas thank you by Swansea Council. The volunteers on the Assembly-funded Kerbcraft road safety initiative are being treated to Christmas lunch as a reward for their hard work and dedication during the year.
The Council's Road Safety Team coordinates the scheme and relies on volunteers to go into primary schools and help children between the ages of five and seven learn all about road safety.
Kingsley McCarthy from Manselton has been helping out by teaching road safety in three primary schools for the last six years.
Kingsley, 73, said: "Kerbcraft is such a vital and worthwhile scheme. This is one of the ways in which we can help reduce the number of accidents on our roads involving children.
"My grandson James volunteered my services a few years ago and I've never looked back.
"We have a really fun time with the children and they all seem to enjoy themselves. We even have a special road safety song which we get the children to sing at the end of the lesson.
"I really hope more people will put themselves forward as volunteers because we need to keep the scheme running."
John Hague, Cabinet Member for the Environment in Swansea Council, said: "I personally want to thank the volunteers for their assistance because it's helped us to deliver road safety education to children throughout Swansea. Without their efforts, we would not be able to run the scheme.
"We're committed to creating safe environments in communities and especially near schools. Kerbcraft training complements these physical measures and ensures our children are safe on the roads."
To volunteer for Kerbcraft and help children be safe on our roads contact Carys Price or Lindsey Hill on 01792 636142.
18/12/09
A schoolgirl from Porthcawl has won a competition for an anti-drink driving poster for the Christmas and New Year season.
Ten year old Megan Perrin will see her poster appear on local First Cymru buses after she won a competition organised by Bridgend County Borough Council’s Road Safety team. Featuring the message ‘Be full of Christmas cheer, not full of Christmas beer!’, the poster highlights the dangers of drinking and driving, especially over the festive period, and will be seen all over the county borough.
Local schools were invited to take part in the competition, which was organised by the Road Safety team as one of several initiatives designed to promote greater road safety in Bridgend County Borough.
Statistics have indicated that 10,749 drivers were breath tested by the police throughout Wales during their month-long Christmas campaign last year.
16/12/09
2611 people in Wales put their lives at risk by choosing not to wear a seatbelt during this year’s All Wales Seatbelt Campaign.
The 2-week campaign led by Gwent Police, ran from 7 - 20 September and involved South Wales Police, Dyfed Powys Police and North Wales Police. The campaign focussed on education and enforcement.
The educational phase, launched on August 25, gave emergency services the opportunity to raise awareness of the possible consequences of not wearing a seatbelt and the double in price of the fixed penalty notice from £30 to £60.
By force region, the numbers of drivers and passengers issued with a fixed penalty notices for not wearing a seatbelts are:
Overall, 27% (698) of those drivers and passengers were under the age of 25.
Chief Inspector of Roads Policing at Gwent Police, John Pavett said:
“It is disappointing to see that this many people are still choosing to risk their lives and the lives of others by not wearing a seatbelt despite the awareness and education given to drivers and passengers in Wales. We place a strong focus on both education and enforcement during these campaigns and targeted police patrols ensure offenders are caught and penalised.
The overall number of people caught not wearing a seatbelt is lower than last year but no where near what we would like it to be.
It won’t come as a surprise to people to know that a significant number of drivers or passengers killed in road traffic collisions are found to have not worn a seatbelt. It is incomprehensible that people are not learning from these tragedies.
This particular campaign may have come to an end but we will continue to take a pro-active approach all year round to educate motorists and enforce seatbelt laws.”
14/12/09
Glyncorrwg Primary School in the Afan Valley has picked up a trophy in a competition for the highest number of pupils who walked to school during International Walk to School Month in October. They reached a massive 83%.
They were closely followed by last year's winners, Coed Hirwaun Primary in Margam who reached a very respectable 82%.
The road safety team at Neath Port Talbot Council ran the annual competition and over 2000 pupils joined in the campaign to encourage as many pupils as possible to walk to school and try to scoop the top prize.
Every day the numbers walking were recorded and converted to a percentage of the numbers on roll, with the winning school receiving a trophy for their school.
At a ceremony winners and runners up were presented with their awards.
Praising the efforts of pupils, Council Leader, Ali Thomas, said, "I am delighted with the support shown by schools across the county borough.An immense amount of pupils took part in such a worthwhile event.I would like to congratulate everyone who joined in the campaign for making such a fantastic effort."
10/12/09
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council Road Safety section have joined forces with the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service based at Merthyr Tydfil Fire Station to provide cycle instruction to National standards levels 1, 2 and 3, which has replaced the outdated cycling proficiency award.
Level 1 is for groups of up to 12 and is non traffic based training ie at a leisure centre or school playground etc, level 2 is for groups up to 6 and is all road based ensuring the candidates can carry out all essential manoeuvres to enjoy day to day cycling and level 3 is one to one tuition for total beginners or individuals, who would like to cycle more for health reasons or commute more confidently to their place of work.
Although a cycling national standards scheme level 1 and 2 was introduced into the primary schools in the authority 3 years ago, this is the first time the scheme will be delivered by MTCBC in partnership with an agency based inside the County Borough. Firefighter Aeden O’Neill and Crew Manager Adrian Thomas both serving members at Merthyr Tydfil Fire Station have become fully qualified national standards cycle instructors and will launch this new initiative at Mount Pleasant Primary School and Dowlais Primary School.
Station Manager Nigel Williams says, “We are always happy to participate in partnership activities within the borough which improve the safety of the general public. I would like to personally thank Jill Harper, Merthyr’s Road Safety Officer for supporting us in this venture, which I am confident will improve our children’s road safety”. Other schools in the authority will be given an opportunity to take part in this scheme in the New Year.
For further Information contact the MTCBC Road Safety Section on 01685 726286.
10/12/09
Having just one or two drinks can impair your ability to drive - remember you don't have to be drunk to be a drink driver.
The drink drive campaign is running across Wales, supported by the Police who will be out in force over the festive season stopping suspected drink drivers. If you're a motorist do not drink and drive this Christmas, or risk the consequences of being caught.
A drink drive conviction can ruin your life.
By having a drink or two then driving you run the risk of:
- Not be able to drive for a year, or even losing your driving licence
- Getting a hefty fine
- Getting a criminal record, or face imprisonment
- Living with the social stigma of being branded a drink driver
- Experiencing lifestyle pressures such as being unable to use your car, losing your job or experiencing relationship difficulties.
- Worst case scenario - you could even kill or injure yourself, your passengers or others.
So, when you're offered another drink, think first. If you keep drinking then leave the car and take a taxi, bus, train or organise a lift.
For help making travel plans visit the traveline Cymru website
For more information visit the Think! Campaign website
9/12/09
The latest National Statistics about young drivers (aged under 25) and road accidents produced by the Welsh Assembly Government were released on 8 December 2009 according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority.
Statistics on young drivers and road accidents include data for Wales for the period up to the year 2008. This is not a regularly updated release which looks at the extent to which young drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents than older drivers. It also looks at the types of accidents that involve young drivers and whether or not these differ from the types of accidents that involve older drivers.
Statistical Bulletin 76/2009 (PDF 419kB)
The key points from the latest release include:
- Young drivers are more likely to be involved in an accident than older drivers.
- Are more likely to be involved in certain types of accident than older drivers.
- But are not more likely to be involved in a fatal or serious accident, as compared with a slight accident than older drivers.
- Young men are more likely to be involved in an accident than young women, but not to any greater extent than the general tendency of men to be more involved in accidents.
- Road safety is improving for older drivers; it is not improving, to the same extent, for young drivers.
- More 18 and 19 year olds are involved in accidents than other single year age group of young drivers and their involvement in accidents is increasing.
- The Valley authorities and Isle of Anglesey are relative ‘hot spots’ for young drivers’ involvement in accidents.
- Lastly, if a young driver is involved in an accident, then it is less likely to be a fatal or serious accident in more urban local authority areas; more likely to be a fatal or serious accident in more rural local authorities.
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