THINK! resources – festive order deadlines
The last posting date for THINK! resources to arrive pre-Christmas (by first class post, or three day courier service) is Tuesday 19 December. The last day for orders for next day delivery is Thursday 19 December, and the final date for pre-Christmas orders to be despatched early in 2007 is Friday 22 January.

As in previous years, Two Ten will conduct an annual stock count between Christmas and the New Year. While orders can still be taken during this period, they will not be sent out until Friday 5 January. RSOs are advised to submit any orders that are urgently required for early January, during the course of week commencing 18 December.

For further information, or to order, go to: www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk .

Brake launches employee DVD

In a bid to help companies educate employees, Brake is launching a DVD for company drivers, Busy Enough to Kill?, which includes interviews with families bereaved by road crashes involving at-work drivers.

Brake says that, according to DfT statistics, a quarter of all road deaths in Britain involve an 'at-work' driver. The charity says the figures have become available for the first time as, in 2005, police started to record the journey purpose of vehicles involved in crashes.

The DVD, which has ben produced with financial support from the DfT, is being used through the FedEx & Brake Road Safety Academy, which offers free training and resources to company representatives. So far, more than 180 companies have taken part in the programme, and other companies are being encouraged to get involved.  

To order free sample information sheets on road risk management, and receive information on free training provided by the FedEx & Brake Road Safety Academy, contact Brake on 01484 559909, or fleetsafetyforum@brake.org.uk.

Death drivers may face life in jail
Motorists who cause death on the roads could face life imprisonment under new plans unveiled last week.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) published a consultation paper including proposals that the very worst cases currently prosecuted as death by dangerous driving should instead be prosecuted for manslaughter, which carries a maximum life sentence.

Director of Public Prosecutions Ken Macdonald QC said he believed public attitudes to bad driving had changed dramatically in recent years and the CPS's policy of prosecuting motorists may need to be modified as a result.

A range of other bad habits behind the wheel, including tailgating and using a hand-held mobile phone, which are currently prosecuted as careless driving, could also be moved up into the dangerous driving category.

It means a much broader range of poor driving behaviour would carry a prison term, because dangerous driving comes with a two-year maximum prison sentence, whereas careless driving can only be dealt with by a community order or a fine.

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

Increase in Cornish child road injuries
There has been a 'dramatic increase' in the number of children being killed or injured on Cornwall's roads, according to a report last week on the BBC News website.

In 2005, 180 children were involved in accidents, but the figure for the first six months of 2006 is 140, according to the Cornwall road casualty reduction group.The group said a lack of road sense might be one of the reasons.

Spokesperson Beverly Skilton said the largest issue was child pedestrians being very vulnerable. "The 10 to 14-year-olds are the most vulnerable," she said. "We believe this is because up until their 10th or 11th birthday they are probably transported to school by their parents.

"After that, they're thought grown up enough to walk to school or to the bus - but haven't developed the skills because most of their life they've been carried around." Ms Skilton also said there was a misconception that children just acquire the skills to deal with traffic.

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

Police officer faces speed charge

The head of a police force driving school is facing prosecution for speeding on a motorway while on duty. Inspector Paul Gee, of Durham Constabulary, was caught travelling at 118 mph by a mobile camera on a bridge over the M9 near Falkirk in November.

Central Scotland Police sent a notice of intended prosecution, which the Durham force hope will be withdrawn as Inspector Gee was on police business.

Inspector Gee, who was carrying out a risk assessment for an advanced driving course, had informed police forces along the route about the training run. But it was changed at the last minute, leaving Central Scotland Police unaware of his movements.

Chief Superintendent Trevor Watson, head of Durham Constabulary's personnel and development department, said the force had offered Central Scotland Police 'a full outline of all the circumstances'.

"On this occasion the car was being driven entirely within the role and was on legitimate business," he added.

Jools Townsend, of the road safety charity Brake, said: "The police do a fantastic job in protecting lives, but this can be undermined when officers unnecessarily risk lives by driving at dangerous speeds."

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

Stretch limos seized in crackdown

20 drivers were reported for more than 80 motoring offences during a crackdown on stretch limousines being used as a front for organised crime.

47 stretch limousines were stopped in a two-day operation in November, the Met Police said. Eight vehicles with 'serious defects' were taken off the road in west London. Earlier, during the first UK-wide operation targeting limousines, police uncovered crimes such as drug dealing and money laundering.

Inspector Barry Bishop said: "Stretch limousines are often used to celebrate special occasions and the safety of these vehicles is rarely considered." He added that police were committed to "tackling drivers and operators of limousines who continue to drive unlicensed and unsafe vehicles causing danger to passengers and other road users".

The motoring offences the 20 drivers were reported for included driving without a licence, insurance and MoT, and with a variety of vehicle defects. More than 20 forces across the UK have been targeting the unregulated industry over the past month.

For the full story go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6219972.stm?ls

Band backs road safety campaign

A Norfolk MP has joined a rock band in supporting a road safety campaign.

Dirty Pretty Things are promoting the Make Roads Safe campaign on their UK tour, and perform in Norwich next week. The band's commitment follows a car crash in Suffolk in July in which three teenagers were killed on their way home from one of the band's concerts.

The campaign urges world leaders to take action on road traffic injuries. Norwich South MP Charles Clarke said he congratulated everyone involved.

Carl Barat, lead singer of Dirty Pretty Things, said earlier that the deaths were 'such a waste of young lives, and this is happening to families every day".

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

Subsidised insurance scheme extended
A subsidised car insurance scheme for 17-25 year olds has been extended due to the 'low number of claims' since it was launched in February 2006

Organisers of the Young Marmalade scheme claim it 'makes it £3,000 cheaper over a three year period for a 17 year old to drive and insure a one year old car than a five year old vehicle'.

"This extension ensures that new cars with the latest safety devices are affordable to this age group," commented Nigel Lacy, director of Young Marmalade. "It is not just about the crash protection and the number of airbags. Improvements in power steering, anti lock brakes (ABS) and adaptive braking control (EBD) all help young, inexperienced, drivers avoid accidents in the first place."

Young Marmalade says it has handled nearly 50,000 enquiries since February 2006. It believes the growth is being fuelled in part by the increasing number of parents realising that 'fronting', or putting children on parents' insurance as named drivers when the youngsters drive the car more than occasionally, renders the insurance invalid and constitutes fraud.

For further information contact Nigel Lacy on 0845 226 1805, or go to www.youngmarmalade.co.uk.

Calendar prizes presented

South Lanarkshire Council's annual road safety calendar awards were presented recently in front of a packed audience at council headquarters.

The winner, Liam Price from Calderwood Primary, saw off competition from 12,000 other entries. His design - carrying the message 20's Plenty Next to Schools - will feature on 10,000 calendars to be distributed to schools and council offices across South Lanarkshire.

Councillor Billy McCaig said: "The council's road safety team does a great job within schools and the calendar competition is one of the most important events of the year."

For further information contact David Wynn on 01698 454359, or David.Wynn@southlanarkshire.gsx.gov.uk

Drivers cut speed for 'elf and safety'

Determined to find out who is naughty and who is nice in the lead-up to Christmas, officers in Orlando, Florida, are dressing up as Father Christmas's elves and staking out the highway to nab drivers exceeding the 45mph limit.

Uniforms have been cast aside in favour of green-and-red tunics, tights and hats as Operation Enforcing Limits and Fining speeders, or Elf for short, swings into action. Pointy ears and curly toed shoes are also a must.

Bearing a sign that reads 'Help an Elf - Slow Down', and with a Christmas stocking dangling from his radar gun, deputy Richard Lockman of the Orange County sheriff's department clocked 149 speeders in the first three hours.

"I'm Santa's helper today, helping people to enjoy their Christmas without the tragedy of traffic crashes," he said, his pink felt ears wobbling precariously.

Mr Lockman was assisted by 20 motorcycle cops who lurked nearby, ready to pounce on offenders who registered excessive scores on the radar gun.

None of the 149 stops involved a one-horse open sleigh, police confirmed.

Some drivers complained that the tactics ran contrary to the spirit of the season. But the department's Ken Wyne said he hoped that the high-profile operation would improve safety.

"That's why we chose an elf: elves are known for their impish behaviour," he said.