Chair reflects on 2004

LARSOA chair Steve Whitehouse has asked that this seasonal and end of year message be passed on to website readers.

"As chair of LARSOA I would like to wish all our readers a very happy and safe Christmas and a productive New Year - but I would also like to do much more than that.

"I would like to thank everyone who has helped in any way over the last 12 months. Your Association is going from strength to strength and that is down to the hard work and commitment of colleagues who work throughout the year on our behalf.

"Our success is down to the partnerships we have developed - with DfT, RoSPA and many others who we are now working with, when in the past we may have failed to see the areas where we could work to achieve common goals. This has led to major initiatives in work related road safety, cycling, motorcycling and many more.

"The key players are numerous and often unsung and include the officer group - Brian Hogarth, Simon Ettinghausen, Rosemary Welch, Alan Fisher and Liz Barkwith - as well as Christine who has become an extra valued member of the team. The entire Policy and Management Group, which manages the affairs of the Association, also deserves special mention. There are also advisors and representatives across the country who attend meetings and ensure ETP issues are covered whenever appropriate.

"I could not also fail to note the work done by regional groups as well - not least the eastern region, whose hard work and expertise won the Prince Michael Award for its occupational road risk CD Rom - and Nick Rawlings, as our website has become one of our strongest assets.

"Once more thanks to everyone - and as I near my term of office I can honestly say that after 21 years in road safety I daily realise how much more there is to learn!

"All that remains for me is to get on my sleigh and deliver signed photos of the Green Cross Code Man to all those who truly deserve them - Ho Ho Ho!"