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Drivers slowing down in towns

British drivers are slowing down on 30mph urban roads, with half of all drivers now obeying the speed limit - up from just 28% in 1996.

A study by the DfT monitored motorists on uncongested roads well away from speed cameras. It found that just 21% exceeded 35mph in 30mph zones (down from 37% in 1996).

However, the proportion exceeding 80mph on motorways remained the same, at 19% and more motorcyclists were found to be exceeding the speed limit on dual carriageways (25%). Lorry drivers are the most likely to exceed speed limits, with 77% going over their 40mph limit on single-carriageway roads and 20% going over 35mph in 30mph zones.

The overall trend of reduced speed has been welcomed by motoring groups and road safety organisations, many seeing this as a vindication of the government's speed camera enforcement policy.

For the full story go to: http://www.channel4.com

RSOs support passenger restrictions for new drivers
Two thirds of respondents to last week's survey think there should be restrictions on newly qualified drivers carrying passengers, and just under half favour some form of curfew system.

69% of those who completed the survey think there should be a ban on newly qualified drivers carrying young passengers, while 26% opposed this view, and 5% were unsure.

With regard to a curfew, 50% agreed with this move, 33% opposed it and17% were unsure.

The survey was conducted on the back of two reports - by TRL and the AA Motoring Trust - in which these methods were discussed as ways to to try and reduce the increasing number of young people being killed in road crashes.

BUSK unveils new campaign
BUSK (Belt Up School Kids) is to launch a new initiative later this year to try and make it 'cool' for schoolchildren to wear seat belts in coaches and mini buses.

While seat belts have been compulsory in these vehicles for some years, many still do not think it necessary to buckle up each trip.

BUSK says that around 10,000 UK children are injured in vehicles each year as a direct result of not belting up - and a quarter of these are inside coaches and buses.  

Director of BUSK, Pat Harris, said: "I see so many unbelted children in all types of vehicles and wonder why these young people think it is so 'un cool' to protect themselves? 

"In an effort to educate and raise awareness of how important it is to belt up for each journey BUSK will be promoting wristbands, which young people love to wear. The message on the wristbands is very simple - 'Belted bods are safer'.   If young people wear these wristbands perhaps they will think more about the message they are displaying."

The wristband campaign will run during September and October 2006.

For further information contact BUSK on 01633 274944 or email buskuk@aol.com

Course protects children
Childcare workers in Bath who transport youngsters in cars as part of their jobs are being invited to take up a special safety course.

30 places are being offered by Bath and North East Somerset council, which is subsidising the initiative. The move follows concerns that 12,500 under-16s in the UK are hurt each year while travelling in cars.

The one-day course is open to all child carers, including child minders, nannies and teachers. Participants will brush up on driver awareness and ability and learn about legal and personal safety issues.

Councillor Vic Pritchard said: "Before employment is offered, most parents check the Criminal Records Bureau and the person's child care qualifications, work permits or visas.

"But the one thing that parents don't check is driving ability and their understanding of the laws relating to driving children in cars and their safety. Most parents just ask for a clean licence."

For the full story go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk

Hertfordshire offers cycle instructor training
Hertfordshire County Council has recently become accredited as a National Standard instructor training provider for cycling.

After successfully running two courses for the county's own instructors, the road safety team is opening up its next course to people from outside the county.

The four-day course will take place in Hatfield, 2-5 May. The £450 fee covers the four days and up to two mentoring sessions.

For further information contact Sue Ellis, sue.ellis@hertscc.gov.uk or 01992 556806.

Biker seminar back for seventh year

The Wiltshire Bikesafe Partnership is once again running its popular Love to Ride...Ride to Live seminar for bikers, which it launched seven years ago.

The seminar provides participants with the opportunity to share experiences and, where necessary, enhance their riding skills. Riders are encouraged to follow up the day by seeking advanced training.

For further information contact Colin Reeves, colinreeves@wiltshire.gov.uk or 07770695792

Drivers cheating the law
Drivers across the country are exploiting a legal loophole to avoid speeding fines.

Some motorists are registering vehicles to business mailing addresses, instead of their home addresses, so fines issued after they are caught speeding do not turn up on their doormats.

If the fine goes unpaid and the police are alerted to follow up the offence, they find themselves at an anonymous business address rather than the offender's home, which can result in the case being dropped.

Although it is an offence to give the DVLA false details, it is not illegal to register a vehicle to an address other than a home.

The loophole has now been raised in parliament, with MP Andrew Selous describing the scam as 'sheer injustice'.

The problem is particularly bad in Bedfordshire where police revealed they had recorded 1,000 offences in a single month where action could not be taken because drivers - caught by roadside cameras or hand-held laser guns - could not be traced.

For the full story go to: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk

Villagers launch speed campaign
Motorists are being asked to watch their speed as part of a new campaign devised by parish councillors from a village near Scarborough.

Setting The Pace is spearheaded by members of Eastfield Parish Council and supported by John Sheader, Scarborough's road safety officer.

Councillors will be out and about delivering leaflets to businesses and residents, to encourage as many people as possible to sign a pledge to stay within the speed limits and drive at an appropriate speed wherever they are.

Everyone who signs up to the scheme will be entered into a monthly prize draw to thank them for showing their support.

Graham Elliott, from Eastfield Parish Council, said: " This is just a trial to see whether it will work. Eastfield has a very bad accident record and we are hoping to make people think about cutting their speed. We already have speed bumps but these are just ignored."

For the full story go to: http://www.scarboroughtoday.co.uk.

ITS hosts safety conference
Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) is to host a conference entitled Current and emerging ITS implementations - the Safety Aspect on 16-17 May, at St James' Park Football Ground, Newcastle.

The conference will have a tangible output - delivering a policy document considering the safety implications of intelligent transport systems for vehicles and infrastructure.  

Presentations will be interspersed with discussion and questionnaire sessions to capture the expertise of all those taking part. The final session will create the structure and content of a policy document.

For further information or to book contact: Gpoulton@its-uk.org.uk, or 020 7709 3005.

Easter Parade for Kerbcraft pupils

Pupils at St. John's Primary in Hamilton celebrated completion of their Kerbcraft training with a passing out parade complete with giant walking eggs.

Kerbcraft has a chicken as its logo so an Easter Parade with walking eggs seemed the ideal way to celebrate the end of this year's training course.

Kerbcraft co-ordinator, Alison Hogg said: "Kerbcraft is a serious business delivered in a fun way. The volunteers and children really enjoy working together and learning vital road safety skills out at the kerbside in real life situations."

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