You are in: Road Safety News: 14 May 2007
Stats show casualties down
The DfT last week published National Statistics on road casualties in Great Britain in the fourth quarter of 2006, which relate to casualties in accidents reported to the police.
The number of fatalities in road accidents fell by 2% in the 12 months ending December 2006 compared with the previous twelve months. Total casualties were down 5% and KSI casualties down 2%.
For further information go to: http://www.dft.gov.uk
Local schemes to share £4m grant
25 local authorities will share the first award of a new £4m road safety grant, it was announced last week.
The Road Safety Partnership Grant Scheme will provide funding to local authorities taking an innovative and collaborative approach to improving road safety.
Dr Stephen Ladyman, road safety minister, said: "Road safety is an area where local projects can, and do, work extremely well and I am committed to encouraging communities to try and improve their road safety records.
“This new grant is designed to bring together a range of partners to develop innovative local schemes for that very reason."
For the full story go to: http://www.gnn.gov.uk
Electric car safety concerns
 The Government is seeking a review of the European regulations for quadricycles, following their growth in popularity as a more environmentally friendly alternative to cars.
The DfT began simulated impact tests once this growth in popularity had been determined. The vehicle passed requirements applicable to quadricyles, but when it was subjected to the same impact test expected of normal cars serious safety concerns were highlighted.
Roads minister Dr Stephen Ladyman said: "The safety regulations that govern this type of vehicle were designed at a time when it was thought they would cover four-wheeled motorcycles and some small, specialised commercial vehicles. Not city run-abouts that resemble small cars.
"Now we have the initial findings of our tests we will be taking this up with the European Commission and manufacturers, and will publish more information when the full programme of tests is complete."
For the full story go to:
http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?Re
Public access for captured drivers
Hertfordshire Safety Camera Partnership has started providing drivers with direct access to information from safety cameras, in an effort to ensure enforcement action is ‘fair’.
From last week, drivers who receive a penalty notice are able to view the evidence relating to the penalty online and free of charge.
The ‘public access’ service gives secure access for drivers to view photographs of their vehicle, site maps and camera calibration certificates relating to the offence.
For the full story go to: http://www.surveyormagazine.com
CSTB meeting announced
The next Meeting of the Cycling Standards Training Board (CSTB) will take place at the RoSPA offices in Birmingham on 26 June.
The main agenda items will be: budget and work programme for 2007//08; reports by two sub groups reporting to the Executive Board; proposals for future work which might need to be commissioned; and options for staffing CSTB.
For further information contact Steve Whitehouse, who will represent LARSOA at the meeting. Minutes of the last meeting can be found in the members' section of this website.
Steve.Whitehouse@technical.sefton.gov.uk
Complete minibus training
Busk (Belt up school kids) is offering minibus driver assessment and training to school staff required to drive a minibus as part of their job.
In most circumstances minibus drivers must hold a D1 PCV (passenger carrying vehicle) licence or entitlement. However, school staff with a car licence (Category B) can legally drive a minibus as long as certain conditions are met.
‘BUSK Minibus Complete is designed to correct poor driving behaviour arising from errors of judgement, and to minimise risk in the minibus driving environment..
For further information ring 01454 269525.
Drunk German fails driving test
 A German man's attempt to take his driving test while drunk came to an abrupt end when his examiner directed him to a police station.
The man arrived for his test in the town of Bendorf reeking of alcohol.
The examiner questioned the 27-year-old man but he denied having touched a drop, so the test commenced as usual.
But he found himself in the yard of a police station after the examiner decided he was driving erratically.
"His driving was rather bad so the examiner directed him to towards the police station without him noticing," said a spokesman for the police. Once there, he had to get out and take an alcohol test, which revealed he was well over the limit."
The man was charged with being three times over the legal alcohol limit for driving.
"Needless to say, the driving test was at an end," said Rhineland Pfalz police. "It will be difficult for the young man to acquire a driving licence for a few years."
For the full story go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6637433.stm
Car lands in man's bed
A Romanian man who was woken up by a loud bang found a car had landed in his bed.
Police said a driver had lost control of his SUV and ploughed into the ground floor bedroom of 33-year-old Iulian Stan's house in Bucharest, smashing through the wall and destroying half of his bed.
Officers said he was unhurt but still in shock.
A spokesman said: "He escaped death by a matter of inches. He is so shocked by it all that he cannot even speak at the moment and we had to get him to write out a statement for us because his voice just isn't working."
For the full story go to: http://www.ananova.com/ |
