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Surrey's Speedwatch scheme expanded

A scheme under which members of the public use speed guns to target motorists who drive too fast has been rolled out to more areas of Surrey.

Through Surrey Police's Community Speedwatch programme, which has been running for nearly two years, people living on or near rural and urban roads can record the speeds of persistent anti-social drivers. Police will send them letters before any action is taken.

Teams of at least six trainees contribute a minimum of an hour per week, working in pairs on roads with 30 and 40mph speed limits.

Community Speedwatch schemes have been run by other police forces across England and Scotland.

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

Bereavement charities launch wristband campaign

The 'remembrance wristband', a national campaign to raise public awareness and promote the services provided by bereavement related organisations, has been launched under the slogan, 'loved today, yesterday and forever more'.

The charities to benefit from the sale of the bands include CADD (Campaign Against Drinking & Driving), Cruse, RoadPeace and SCARD (Support & Care After Road Death & Injury).

The wristbands are available through the chariband website, www.chariband.co.uk . Arrangements are also being made to sell through florists, funeral directors, retailers and the charities' own websites.

"The remembrance wristband will be a comfort to family and friends as it is a permanent reminder and consolation of a loved one," says Glenda Kirby. "It is a symbol that openly demonstrates that a person is in mourning."

For further information contact Glenda Kirby at sales@chariband.co.uk

More needs to be done to save bikers, DIA says

The Driving Instructors Association (DIA) has called for more to be done to stop motorcyclists being killed.

The call came as the DfT launched its latest campaign to 'encourage drivers to look longer for bikers'.

DIA general manager, Eddie Barnaville, said: "We support this campaign, but we think motorcyclists should take further training. 

"Bikers have a responsibility to look after themselves and make themselves as visible as possible to other drivers.

"The DIA runs the DIAmond Advanced Motorcyclist course, which we recommend for all bikers regardless of experience."

The test equips riders to be better, safer and more confident and can qualify them for a discount on their insurance premium.

For further information contact Vikki Carley on 020 8665 8024, or newsdesk@driving.org

Institute conducts car use study for DfT

The Transport Research Institute, which is part of Napier University, is asking drivers to fill out a brief questionnaire as part of a project it is carrying out for DfT.

The questionnaire, which relates to car use, can be found at http://www.8to80.co.uk/Road/Car.php

Irish best informed in Europe on road safety

Irish motorists are better informed about the numbers of road deaths than other European motorists, according to a survey carried out by the European Road Assessment Programme (EuroRAP).

Across nine European countries, only 13% of those asked were able to provide a reasonable estimate (within 10%) of the number of people killed annually on their country's roads. In contrast, 43% of Irish respondents were able to estimate the number within 10%.

"This reflects well on road safety communication in Ireland," said AA public affairs manager Conor Faughnan. "But it also tells us that the public are aware, even if the government is not, that we have a road safety crisis on our hands.

"We are miles behind the best performing countries like the UK, Sweden and the Netherlands in the critical areas of speeding, drink driving and seatbelts. It is no coincidence that we are miles behind in levels of traffic policing as well."

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

Enforcement and provision will address mini bike issues, ACU says

The Auto-Cycle Union's (ACU) Local Authority Support Unit (LASU) believes a combination of enforcement and managed provision is the solution to the problems of illicit mini bike use across the country.

"As national governing body for motorcycle sport in the UK, the ACU understands the negative impact that illicit riding activity is having on the public perception of legitimate motorcycle sport," says LASU's Dave Luscombe.

"With the estimated number of mini bikes in circulation in the UK now exceeding 100,000, the need to find a mechanism to control, regulate and restrict their use is becoming critical.  

"Local authorities and police forces are discovering that while enforcement may be politically the most attractive policy, it is neither a genuine policing priority nor an effective solution," Dave Luscombe adds.

"The ACU believes that the only an approach that combines both enforcement and managed provision will have an impact on illicit riding. - in the same way that the explosion in skateboarding and BMX riding resulted in user facilities, transforming a social nuisance into a regular sport."

For further information contact Dave Luscombe, dave_luscombe@msn.com

FirstCar orders exceed 200,000

Orders for the first issue of the FirstCar young driver magazine in 2006 already exceed 200,000, according to publisher James Evans.

The issue will be published in March 2006 and distributed to young drivers via sixth form centres and colleges.

"There is opportunity in the magazine for readers to contribute and voice their opinions," James Evans says. "To encourage reader participation we've lined up prizes and incentives including two IAM 'Max Driver' advanced driving courses, worth £99 each. We're also paying £50 for every 'first car review' or 'reader's letter' that gets published."

Publishing months for 2006 are March, June, September and December. Copies are available to road safety units and safety camera partnerships for 20p.

For further information or to order contact James Evans, james@firstcar.co.uk

Passive action to cut KSIs

Passive safety signposts are being trialled by Somerset County Council in two locations where there have been accidents involving collisions with road signs (Surveyor, 9 February).

The aim of the pilot of two different systems is to cut numbers killed and seriously injured in crashes with posts - there are an average of 11 such fatalities on Somerset's roads each year.

Drama targets teenage drivers

The road safety drama Never Saw the Day is touring Lancashire schools and colleges until 17 February.

Based on a true story, the play focuses on the dangers of careless driving and driving at inappropriate speeds.

Between 2000 and 2004, there were 32,306 casualties on Lancashire's roads, with 52% of these aged between 17 and 22 years.

The tour is a joint venture between Lancashire County Council's Road Safety Group and the Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety.

Lords to rule on speeding warning

The case of a lorry driver who waved to warn motorists of a speed trap is to be heard in the House of Lords.

Charles Glendinning was prosecuted after police saw him giving his arm signal on the A303 in June 2005.

Previously, two High Court judges held that because there was no evidence Mr Glendinning's 'slow down' signal was seen by any motorists who were speeding, he could not be held guilty of obstruction.

However, last week Lord Justice Scott Baker and Mr Justice Owen said the case raised issues for consideration, and certified the following question for the House of Lords:

"For there to be an obstruction of a police constable in the execution of his duty by the giving of a warning of the presence of a speed trap, is it necessary for the prosecution to prove that those warned were themselves exceeding the speed limit, or were likely to do so at the location of the speed trap?"

They refused the Crown Prosecution Service at Taunton permission to appeal, in effect leaving it to the Law Lords themselves to decide whether they will hear the case.

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

Road safety practitioners talk PR

IRSO marked the New Year by hosting a public relations training day at Goole Leisure Centre.

The day helped RSOs identify what the media needs to publicise road safety to its full potential. Professional PR consultants provided an insight into the operation of a local authority press office, the guiding principles in dealing with the media, and tips on gaining media interest.

Emma Shakeshaft, press officer from Kingston upon Hull City Council, outlined her role in protecting and enhancing the council's reputation by maintaining a positive media profile. She also gave advice about turning a negative story into a positive.

Phase two of the seminar will take place in September and will focus on interviewing techniques.  

For further information contact Joanne Ponsonby on 01924 306325, or jponsonby@wakefield.gov.uk

The camera can lie...

If the speed camera flashes and the Notice of Intended Prosecution arrives, how many motorists can swear they were under the limit?

Bryn Carlyon, a 47-year-old biker from Mid Glamorgan, had no doubts. Last May, the engineer was allegedly clocked at 46mph on his Suzuki VX 800 in a built-up 30mph zone in Cardiff. "I knew full well that I hadn't been speeding, but I had no idea how to challenge it," he says.

Instead of paying the £60 fine and taking the three points, Carlyon requested proof in the form of the photographs from the camera that snapped him. However, the picture not forthcoming and last November he was forced to try to clear his name in court.

Even then, the photograph did not materialise, so the magistrates adjourned the case until 16 December. A week before that hearing, a couple of grainy snaps did arrive. A straightforward calculation revealed that Carlyon, who had been driving for 30 years without a ticket, was safely below the limit. In fact, he reckons the photos indicate he was riding at 18 mph.

So how can cameras get it wrong?

Phil Davies, manager for the Mid and South Wales Camera Partnership, which is responsible for the camera, explains that Carlyon's erroneous prosecution was due solely to 'human error' and a misreading of the photographs because the camera was triggered by a second vehicle.

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