Drivers make drivers nervous...
Research by the Highways Agency shows the behaviour of other drivers on motorways makes drivers nervous.

As the operator for motorways in England, the Agency carries out monthly surveys of drivers' opinions on how safe they feel when driving.

Its research into drivers using motorways has revealed that nine per cent felt unsafe on their most recent trip, with two per cent feeling unsafe to a considerable or very considerable extent.

Citing reasons for feeling unsafe, 35 per cent identified high-speed traffic, 34 per cent cited poor aggressive driving while 29 per cent said it was the volume of traffic.

In addition, 19 per cent of surveyed drivers blamed their anxiety on heavy goods vehicles, 14 per cent cited overtaking, 10 per cent cited traffic converging, and six per cent said it was joining or leaving the motorway.

More @ http://www.highways.gov.uk/news/articles/3242528.htm

... and Lancashire issues advice for nervous drivers
Summer is the time when more people than ever venture onto motorways, and Lancashire County Council's Road Safety Group is giving advice to nervous drivers to help them be safer on these roads.

"Even the mere thought of getting on a motorway reduces many drivers to quivering wrecks," says Neil Cunliffe. "Recent research by the RAC shows more than a third of drivers suffer anxiety when driving, or thinking about driving, on motorways.

"Nervous drivers are more likely to make mistakes, which could cause accidents. Motorway tuition is an excellent way for drivers to lose any unnecessary fear of these roads and build up their confidence," Neil Cunliffe adds. "There are a number of training courses available to help motorists improve their motorway driving skills including advanced driving courses, Pass Plus for new drivers, or simply a couple of hours of motorway lessons with an instructor," he concludes.

For more information on resources for motorway drivers contact Anne Finch, senior road safety adviser on 01772 534 525.

RoSPA appoints new road safety manager for Scotland
RoSPA has appointed Elizabeth Lumsden as its new road safety manager for Scotland.

She succeeds Mike McDonnell, who is moving to become director of the Scottish Road Safety Campaign (SRSC) after 14 years with RoSPA, and will take up her new role on 1 September.

Elizabeth has been the Society's home safety manager for Scotland for two years but has been with RoSPA for 10 years. She has close links with the Scottish Accident Prevention Council, the Scottish Executive and other key organisations throughout the country.

Foreign drivers speed without penalty, GEM says
GEM Motoring Assist (GEM) says foreign drivers are flouting UK speed limit regulations and too many get away without paying any fine or penalty. The majority of foreign registered vehicles also have no fear of speed cameras, bus lane cameras and even congestion charge cameras, GEM claims.

Writing in the GEM membership magazine Good Motoring, journalist James Luckhurst says the unfair system which lets foreign drivers get away 'Scot-free' will continue until the harmonisation of all traffic regulations within the EC, including penalties, enforcement and legislation with a Europe-wide licensing authority and common European driving licences.

"The issue of foreign speeders and what can be done about them is highly complex," says GEM chief executive David Williams. "The main criticism of the system is that foreign drivers are getting away without any penalty in circumstances where increasing numbers of UK motorists are paying fines and collecting penalty points. Drivers should be penalised for speeding, but it should be fair to all."

More @ http://www.roadsafety.org.uk/gem.html

LARSOA Plenary Meeting scheduled for October
The 2004 Autumn LARSOA Plenary Meeting will be held at 10.30am on Tuesday 12 October.

The host region this year is Mercia and the meeting will take place - courtesy of West Midlands Police - at the Tally Ho Training Centre, Pershore Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7RN - which is located close to Edgbaston Cricket Ground. There is ample parking on site and the venue can be reached by a short taxi journey from Birmingham New Street Station.

To date two speakers - Ian Proctor (Kent County Council) and Nick Lloyd (Staffordshire County Council) - have agreed to present papers on their council's progress in achieving casualty reduction targets. It is likely that further speakers will present at the meeting.

The Autumn Plenary Meeting has been hosted by one of the LARSOA regions for the past five years (Cambridge 2003; Durham 2002; Bristol 2001; Nottingham 2000; and Crewe 1999:). Kingston-upon Hull has offered to host the meeting in 2005.

Matalan supports road safety

Bury-based RSO Stuart Howarth (right in pic) was surprised to see this poster in his local Matalan store in Swinton - so he contacted the store's marketing department to find out more.

According to a company spokesperson, providing good quality and affordable products for the whole family is one of Matalan's core values. So when the opportunity to sell 'road safety' kids' footwear with flashing lights it seemed to make good sense.

As part of the in store display posters were produced to help build awareness of road safety - and in turn to help promote the footwear to customers and their children.

Matalan worked closely with road safety advisors from the DfT's Think! team, taking their advice about what to put on the posters and ensuring the information was accurate - while keeping the message and tone in line with other in-store communications.  

Early sales have been very strong, according to the Matalan spokeperson. The store says it has had excellent feedback from mums regarding the quality and safety aspects of the shoes, and that kids seem to love the styles and are proudly showing off their new 'flashing feet'.

Also featured in the picture with Stuart is Paul Anderton, RSO at nearby Salford.

Norwich mum backs road safety drive
A Norwich mum whose daughter was knocked unconscious by a hit-and-run driver as she walked to school is backing a DfT campaign aimed at 12 to 16-year-olds.

The Think! campaign has produced a leaflet promoting road safety among secondary pupils as they return to school after the summer holidays. The leaflet compliments the on-going TV campaign.

Eileen Kibby, whose 15-year-old daughter Amy was injured as she walked to Heartsease High School, is urging parents to take road safety seriously. "Accidents can happen at any time," she said. "My daughter was walking along a quiet road and never expected it. There is danger out there and I would urge parents to remind their kids to be aware at all times."

Amy was left lying unconscious in the road after the accident on 12 July and the motorist sped off after the accident. Fortunately she has recovered from her injuries.

Stuart Hallett, county road safety officer for Norfolk, said the number of accidents involving children in the county was on the slide. But he also said that the autumn, when children return to school, was the time of year when they were more likely to happen.