| LARSOA - ROAD SAFETY NEWS - 21 AUGUST 2006 |
Please close this window to return to the LARSOA news pages Make dual controls mandatory, DIA says The DIA believes learner drivers should not be allowed to take the driving test in a car without dual controls. Last year there were 858 crashes during driving tests in Britain and a further 386 near-misses, according to new figures released by the DfT - and the DIA says that 72% of these took place in cars not fitted with dual controls. Current legislation allows learners to take their test in their own car provided it is a four wheeled vehicle, capable of a speed of at least 62.5 miles per hour and is legal and roadworthy. DIA chief executive Eddie Barnaville believes all tests should be taken in dual controlled cars. "It is remarkable there have not been any fatalities," he said. For more information visit www.ttc-uk.com or call 0845 270 4380. York announces cycling course dates The council can also offer tailor-made on site training courses for individual authorities. To book or for further information contact Rosemary Bentley on 01904 551646, or rosemary.bentley@york.gov.uk. Team organises fatigue event The event will take place between 8.00am - 4.00pm on 24 August at the northbound services at Newport Pagnell on the M1. The team will be talking to drivers and handing out literature, and Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service and Thames Valley Police will also be on hand. Drinks supplier Red Bull and the British Coffee Association will be giving out advice, literature and product samples. For further information contact Vince Morley on 01908-254601, or Drink drivers face holiday hire problems Most car hire firms will not hire a car to a convicted drink driver until they have had a clean licence for at least 12 months. And there is virtually 'no hope at all' of hiring a car in America, which has zero tolerance towards reformed offenders, says Graham Wynn, director of the TTC Group. "Drink driving is a serious crime and results in many sanctions. Just one of them is that they will face difficulties in hiring a car for a holiday abroad in the future," he said. Cash for community groups Brighton & Hove City Council is inviting local community groups and charitable organisations to put their 'eco heads' together as part of its car free day celebrations, which will take place 22-23 September. Successful groups will receive a grant towards the cost of their proposed activity, which must take place before the end of the year in or around Brighton & Hove. Councillor Joyce Edmond-Smith, convenor of the city's sustainability commission, said: "We are closing a busy seafront road to traffic to create space for a variety of free fun and activities over two days of car free celebrations." Experts will be on hand to talk about the council's health walks programme and car sharing schemes, and 'Doctor Bike' will provide free cycle checks and advice on bike maintenance. For further information contact Jenni Lewin-Turner on 01273 293907, or Jenni.Lewin@brighton-hove.gov.uk. Bereaved mum launches campaign A mother whose son died after a crash is trying to start a campaign to urge motorists to take more care on the roads. Mandy Baker, from Illston on the Hill, says the death of her son Christopher Ambler has prompted her to start the campaign. Christopher, who was better known to many of his friends as Sid, was 18 when he died after the accident on the A6. Mrs Baker said she doesn't want other parents to go through the trauma she has faced and urges motorists to take care. She wants to start a campaign called Slow Down For Sid, in memory of her son. She said: "I don't want to pick on any particular group because all of us occasionally lose concentration or drive a little too quickly. But if we can start something that makes people think just a little and saves one life, then it is worth it." For the full story go to: http://www.harboroughtoday.co.uk. Minister to speak at BrakeCare Conference The conference - Road to Recovery; Supporting Families when Disaster Strikes - will take place at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham on 16 November. BrakeCare offers support to people who have been suddenly and violently bereaved in a road crash, or a family member who has suffered a life-changing injury such as paralysis or brain injury. The conference covers topics including the effects of shock and trauma, post traumatic stress disorder, practical and procedural needs and best practice support. For further information or to register contact Brake on 01484 559909, or admin@brake.org.uk. Rise in island's road accidents Police figures show more than 400 accidents have been reported so far this year - the total for 2005 was 671. The statistics include all road accidents in the island, from minor collisions to fatalities. Police say the total could even out by the end of December, but the group Stop Traffic Endangering Pedestrian Safety wants a road safety officer appointed. It believes the island's motorists need to be educated about the dangers of driving too fast. For the full story go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk. Safety campaign catches hundreds More than 500 people were caught speeding in a summer road safety campaign in Dumfries and Galloway. Nearly 100 drivers were also found not wearing their seatbelts during the fortnight-long event, 16 motorists were caught drink-driving and one was found to be under the influence of drugs. Police expressed disappointment at the number of people caught, despite publicity before the campaign got underway. For the full story go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk www.larsoa.org.uk
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