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Week
Commencing 27 May 2002
Camera
guidelines pose safety threat, according to alliance
During
yet another week when safety cameras have been front-page news,
there was an interesting development that was less widely reported.
Recent Government guidelines on the use of safety cameras are to
be challenged in the courts by the Slower Speeds Initiative, on
the basis that the guidelines pose a threat to the safety of the
wider community. The guidelines require a camera site to have a
minimum crash history – four deaths or serious injuries, or
eight accidents, in three years - and decree that drivers must be
warned of camera locations.
According to the Safer Speeds Initiative – an alliance of transport
and road safety groups backed by local authorities – the Government
has been guilty of ‘ghoulish capitulation to the motoring lobby’.
Surveyor, 16 May.
Poor driving causes more crashes than speed, says
BMF
The British
Motorcyclists Federation (BMF), Britain's largest rider group, has
launched its 2002 road safety campaign, which it hopes will bring
a new perspective to powered two-wheeler (PTW) safety.
"We are only too aware of the vulnerability of the PTW user but
there is a need for improved road user behaviour across the board,"
said BMF’s chief executive Simon Wilkinson in launching the campaign
at the annual BMF show. "We must keep our eye on the ball and
while excessive speed can be a factor, poor driving and riding is
a greater cause of road accidents and that's where we'd like to see
the emphasise. Our campaign is designed to address these issues and
also reward those who make a real contribution to bike safety."
The campaign highlights the need to change attitudes in road users
by re-structuring road traffic law enforcement. It is also reminds
riders that they have responsibilities and introduces the 'BMF Rider
Safe Award', which will be given to an individual or group for their
contribution to rider safety.
More @ http://www.bmf.co.uk
Fast
cars event planned for disabled drivers
A special exhibition of some of the fastest road cars in the UK –
all owned and driven by disabled drivers - will take place on Thursday
20 June at Donington Park. The exhibition is part of the Mobility
Roadshow and will offer inspiration to visitors who might think that
fast or sporty cars are not appropriate or suitable for adaptation.
The Mobility Roadshow is the world's largest outdoor mobility event
and takes place Thursday 20 - Saturday 22 June from 10.00 am daily.
Admission is free. The ‘Mega Motors’ exhibition is a one-day
show only on 20 June.
More @ http://just-auto.com/news
RoSPA
welcomes Scotland’s new drug driver campaign
RoSPA
has welcomed a new television advertisement produced by the Scottish
Road Safety Campaign aimed at reducing drug-driving. The advertisement
shows how impairment tests – such as walking in a straight line
and balancing on one leg - are now being used effectively in Scotland
to catch people driving under the influence of drugs. The TV campaign
will run for four weeks and will also be repeated later in the year.
Cycling
figures ‘embarrassing’ for Government
Figures
recently released by the Government show a significant decline in
cycling between 2000 and 2001. The DTLR’s figures show a four
per cent drop in cycle traffic – particularly embarrassing
as Government strategy sets out to quadruple cycling between 1996
and 2012.
The
number of kilometres cycled in 2001 was the lowest for six years
and seven per cent lower than in 1996. In the aftermath of the figures
there have been calls from some quarters for Government action to
reduce traffic levels and speeds and to provide better facilities
for cyclists.
Surveyor, 23 May
DTLR
to study safety implications of bus lanes
The DTLR
is to commission research into bus priority schemes amid concern that
some schemes can lead to an increase in road accidents. One matter
likely to be examined is the danger that motorists can face when turning
left across a bus lane. The research will devise and test potential
solutions to any problems identified and could result in good practice
guidance for local authorities.
Local Transport Today, 23 May
RoadPeace
conference scheduled for early June
RoadPeace,
the national charity for road traffic victims, is holding a national
conference in London on 6 June. The conference is targeted at anyone
who is concerned about road victims, road law and road danger issues.
More information about the conference can be obtained from RoadPeace
trustee Agnes Saudrais-Hough by email at info@roadpeace.org
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