You are in: Road Safety News: 26 March 2007
Safety threat from MOT changes?
The MOT Trade Forum is opposing a Government-backed deregulation report on MOT Testing. The report recommends delaying the first MOT for a year and then only testing every two years thereafter.
The MOT Trade Forum says it has investigated the implications of these proposals and has reached the 'inescapable conclusion that they will significantly reduce road safety and result in a net cost to the economy of around £400-500m'.
The Government argues that modern cars are safer and that the move will save owners £25 per year. In contrast, the MOT Forum believes the move will result in up to 150 extra road deaths and 1400+ serious injuries annually - and more damage to the environment and public health from failed emissions.
The report is going to consultation this spring, and the MOT Trade Forum is encouraging road safety professionals to oppose it.
For further information contact Harry Lewis, HLewis@mvra.com.
Cycle crossing wins award
A cycle crossing at East Midlands Airport, which Leicestershire County Council says is a world first, has been highly commended at an awards ceremony organised by the Institution of Civil Engineers.
Pressure sensitive detector pads on the cycle link enable passing cyclists to trigger Cycle Activated Traffic Signs (CATS) on the approaches to the crossing. Once triggered, the CATS display a 'Slow Down' message and flashing amber lights to road traffic.
For more information visit www.leics.gov.uk/cycle_trails.
Course reaches milestone80,000 people have attended Lancashire's speed awareness course since it was introduced in 2001. The course, a combination of theory and practical elements, is delivered by approved driving instructors.
Road safety manager, Neil Cunliffe, said: "The course helps participants demonstrate the correct use of speed for a variety of hazards, and to identify different speed limit areas. The course is a positive alternative to being prosecuted."
For further information contact Mark McAdam on 01772 533113, or mark.mcadam@css.lancscc.gov.uk.
Presenter to front online conference
 BBC television's Nick Ross is to chair the first 'conference' in the new national online road safety facility, UK-MoRSE, which is hosted by GreenSafe.
As well as a national performance database for road safety work, UK-MoRSE includes the Road Safety Exchange (RSX), showcasing innovative road safety solutions, hosting online live discussions in the 'lounge' and providing an informal virtual meeting room for registered users. 11 partner organisations have agreed to test the system between now and the official launch in May.
Nick Ross said: "Road deaths are not accidents so much as consequences. The distinction is important because we still tend to be fatalistic about risks on the roads. But consequences have causes, and UK-MoRSE should help unravel what those causes are."
UK-MoRSE is available at www.greensafe.co.uk.
Milestone for safety training Pedestrian training in Hull will celebrate its 15th anniversary this year - and during 2007 the number of pupils trained will pass 25,000 and, for the first time, every Primary School in the city will participate.
Back in 1992 children in Hull were among the first in the country to take part in pedestrian training as part of their road safety education. Since then the training has spread through the UK and is now seen as fundamental to reducing child pedestrian injuries.
Sue Bates, RSO, said: "Back in 1992 we could see a developing problem with young children who were not being taught practical road safety skills at home. Although they were learning the Green Cross Code in school, some children were struggling to put the rules into practice. By showing them how to stay safe in quiet traffic conditions we can help give them the skills they need."
For further information contact Mark Jessop or Sue Bates on 01482 612108.
Hampshire sponsors Pass Plus Newly qualified drivers in Hampshire's are being offered a £75 discount to encourage them to take the Pass Plus course.
Posters and leaflets have been distributed to educational establishments and driving test centres, and advertising will appear in New Look fitting rooms and male washrooms in bars across Hampshire.
Ernie Sage, road safety services manager, says: "A fifth of newly qualified drivers have a crash within a year of passing their test. Driving unaccompanied for the first time can be daunting, particularly in busy traffic, and the Pass Plus course will help drivers become more confident."
For further information contact Alison Trevett on (01962) 846889, or alison.trevett@hants.gov.uk
Pack promotes safety week
To help promote Child Safety Week (18-24 June), the Child Accident Prevention Trust is offering a free resource pack to people working with children, young people and families.
The pack contains facts, activity ideas, contacts, quizzes and competitions and a colourful poster. It is aimed at health practitioners, teachers, childminders, out-of-school organisers, community workers and others responsible for child safety.
To order the pack go to www.capt.org.uk, or send an A4 stamped addressed envelope (60p) to Child Safety Week Resource Pack, Child Accident Prevention Trust, 22-26 Farringdon Lane, London EC1R 3AJ.
DIA introduces first aid for instructors The Driving Instructors Association (DIA) has joined forces with the British Red Cross to offer tailor-made roadside first aid courses to driving instructors.
The one-day course will provide instructors with core skills to help them administer basic first aid techniques to reduce the chance of fatality in the critical period of an incident, before the emergency services arrive. On completion of the course, participants will receive a Red Cross First Aid certificate.
The first course will be held on 26 April to coincide with UN Global Road Safety Week (April 23-29).
For further information contact Vikki Carley on: 020 8665 8024, or newsdesk@driving.org.
'Hey minister, leave those clocks alone ...'
With British Summer Time coming into effect, GEM Motoring Assist has stepped up its campaign to force the government to make it the last time clocks are altered.
"Hundreds more accidents occur on dark and dangerous winter afternoons," said GEM chief executive David Williams. "It has a particularly disastrous impact on youngsters leaving school and is a problem that is so easy to solve."
He said that MP's treat the matter with contempt because it is not a headline grabber or vote winner. "When BST was debated in The House a few weeks ago the vote to make summer time last for 12 months gained a favourable majority - but not enough MPs had turned up to make it law," David Williams says. "That is how much most of our elected members care about the road safety of children."
GEM is encouraging supporters to write to their MP now to allow time for the law to be changed before autumn. For more information go to: http://www.motoringassist.com
Beer goggles for Polish drivers
Police in Poland are forcing drink drivers to wear specially made beer goggles to show them how alcohol affects their driving.
Officers in Koscian arranged for those caught drink driving to put on the goggles that distort their vision in the same way as several pints of beer.
They then have to get in a car driven by a police officer to see how hard it is to focus.
For the full story go to: http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_2251534.html
Naked OAP joyrider Police are hunting for a naked pensioner spotted joyriding around a bowling green on a Shopmobility scooter in Scotland.
A passer-by was stunned to see the man - thought to be in his seventies - on the vehicle, which has a top speed of 3mph.
The witness, concerned that the naked pensioner would be seen by children at a neighbouring play park, called police.
A spokesman for Tayside Police said: "When the complainer called the police, the pensioner put his clothes on and drove off. The area was searched but there was no trace of the male involved."
For the full story go to: http://www.ananova.com |
