DSA announces training and testing improvements

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has announced improvements to its training and testing procedures - as a result of two public consultations it conducted in autumn 2006.

DSA is introducing a package of measures designed to offer improved training and testing to the professional driving industry. This includes lengthening the initial training course for non-DSA examiners conducting bus and coach tests, and extending the on-road time in practical bus and lorry driver tests.  

Alongside this, the number of theory test questions for learner car drivers and motorcyclists will be increased about important issues such as unlicensed and uninsured driving, eco driving, new motorway signage and first aid.

DSA's chief executive Rosemary Thew said: "The consultation papers set out a number of changes that should enable us to offer a better service, improve the quality of the assessments we offer, and ensure that the costs of the services we provide are recovered in a fair and efficient manner."

DSA is continuing to conduct a separate review of the learning to drive process - including driver education, training, testing and lifelong learning.

The full response to the consultation report can be found at: www.dsa.gov.uk

Support our bereavement pack: Brake

Brake is calling for the Government to reinstate funding for the BrakeCare bereavement pack - and to fund other literature and services for road crash victims, including a helpline and face-to-face support.

Brake says its BrakeCare literature is the only support funded by Government for road crash victims - but that the Home Office is withdrawing funding later this year.

Brake is asking people to support its campaign by signing an online petition calling on the Government to reinstate funding for the guide. Click here to sign the petition.

Campaign announces safer roads rally

The Make Roads Safe campaign is organising a 'rally for safer roads' in London during April, in support of the UN's Global Road Safety Week.

The rally, which is free of charge, will take place on 23 April at One Great George Street, Westminster.

Keynote speakers at the event will include Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, UK Secretary of State for Transport, Michael Schumacher and HRH Prince Michael of Kent.

To register or for further information contact Jane Pearce, j.pearce@fiafoundation.com.

Dutch model shows signs of success
The removal of traffic signals from a busy junction in the Dutch town of Drachten has slashed bus and car waiting times, and reduced the number of accidents (Surveyor, 1 Feb).

Two-year monitoring results for the Laweiplein junction - which handles some 22,000 vehicles daily - suggest that 'shared space' principles, where the management of traffic relies on eye contact rather than technology, can be successfully extended to busy roads.

Evaluation shows that after signals were removed, the average waiting time for buses during peak hours was cut from 53 seconds to 26 seconds. And the number of accidents at the junction has reduced, from an average of eight every year from 1994 to 2002, to one a year in 2004 and 2005.

This occurred as hourly traffic volumes rose by around 30% from 2000 to 2005.

Award ceremony for record breaking Walking Bus

Children from the six Leicestershire schools which took part in creating the largest ever Walking Bus have received a certificate acknowledging their contribution to the event's success.  

The record-breaking walk took place on 4 October, when 1,346 children and adult volunteers walked their way into the record books. Official confirmation that the record had been broken came from Guinness on 20 December.

Leicestershire County Council chairman, Barry Garner, said: "It was a pleasure to present the official Guinness World Record Certificates as a permanent reminder of an enjoyable and important community event, which raised awareness of the advantages of Walking Buses."

For further information go to:   www.leics.gov.uk/walking_bus_scheme

Trevor Ford - obituary
Trevor Ford, who will be well known to many road safety professionals, sadly passed away on 4 February.

Trevor's experience of safety issues was immense. He served in the Transport Corps of the British Army, reaching the rank of major, before being appointed county RSO with Norfolk County Council. He went on to hold the same post in both Kent and Surrey.  

Trevor was an active member of the Institute of Road Safety Officers and acted as Treasurer of the Association of Industrial Road Safety Officers for many years. He was also a long term member and supporter of GEM, and was appointed as one of the Charity Trustees in 1999.

David Williams, chief executive of GEM Motoring Assist, said: "Trevor's sudden and unexpected death has been a great shock to all and his significant contribution to GEM's road safety work will be greatly missed."

Fame for film makers

Five local film makers, including a group of 14-year-old students, have been commissioned by Brighton & Hove Council to produce a one minute film about unusual ways of getting around the city.

The films were shown for the first time on the big screen in Brighton last Monday.

The campaign is encouraging people to get fit, save money and help the environment by leaving their cars at home for short journeys.

The films can be viewed on the council's transport campaign website: www.JourneyOn.co.uk.

School trips on the run
School Travel Plans have led to a 4% decrease in car use on the school run in Oxfordshire (Surveyor, 1 Feb).

The proportion of children travelling to school in Oxfordshire by car now stands at 29%.