Risk-taking males pose greater threat
Many drivers are not aware that men pose a greater risk on the roads than women - and that male drivers are responsible for most deaths caused by dangerous driving, according to a survey by Brake and Green Flag.

The survey concludes that more than eight in 10 drivers underestimate the percentage of deaths by dangerous driving caused by men; and that almost half of drivers think men and women are equally dangerous.

In reality, the vast majority of death by dangerous driving convictions (94%) are against men and Home Office figures show that 97% of drivers convicted of dangerous driving are men.

Jools Townsend, head of education at Brake, says: "It is shocking that drivers know so little about the division between male and female drivers."

For further information contact Dianne Ferreira, dferreira@brake.org.uk.

Dimmer switches to be tested on streetlights
Streetlights are to be fitted with 'dimmer switches' in a bid to cut pollution - but LARSOA has expressed safety concerns about the trials.

The Highways Agency is trial lights that will automatically dim or go off at times when there is less traffic on the roads. The new lights could eventually be fitted on all motorways and trunk roads.

However, LARSOA fears the move will lead to a rise in the number of accidents at night, favouring double British Summer Time instead.

David Frost, spokesman, said: "If the government was to introduce double British Summer Time, then it would not get so dark in the winter. Around 450 lives could be saved each year - and it would provide far bigger money savings than simply dimming the lights."

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said: "We are looking at ways to make road lighting on England's motorways and major A roads more efficient and less polluting in terms of carbon emissions and light pollution, without compromising road safety."

To read the full story, go to: http://www.telegraph.co.uk.

BrightKidz introduces online discount prices

The social enterprise, BrightKidz, has launched a facility to enable local authorities to view discount prices online.

BrightKidz sells high visibility clothing, accessories and walk to school promotional products directly to schools, local authorities and to the public. The products are available through its website, www.brightkidz.co.uk .

The new log in facility will enable schools and local authorities to see discount, bulk and custom printing prices. Local authorities and schools who wish to register should email info@safekidswalking.org.uk, or phone 015436 526461.

Slow down - for your girlfriend!

With many young couples out and about travelling to Valentine's events, Southend's road safety team used the For my girlfriend campaign to highlight the dangers of driving too fast.

On the evening of Saturday 17 February the team was joined by members of the local fire brigade in Southend High Street, where they handed out red roses and information for young drivers. A Hummer and a Subaru Impreza were used to attract young people on the evening.

Collette Kemp, RSO, said: "We want young male drivers to slow down and female passengers to be aware of the dangers they face."

For further information contact the road safety team on 01702-215715, or visit www.fmg.org.uk.

Congress will call for education gaps to be plugged
RoSPA's 72nd National Road Safety Congress will look at the need for education and training for different age groups and in different settings.

Dr Stephen Ladyman, minister for road safety, will open the event in Stratford-upon-Avon on 26 February. More than 250 delegates will attend the conference, Encouraging Education in Road Safety, which runs until 28 February.

Child pedestrian training is a key topic on the agenda. Road safety projects targeting young people, disadvantaged areas and vulnerable road users, such as cyclists, horse riders and people with disabilities, will also be discussed and there will be a session focusing on young-driver training.

For further information go to: www.rospa.com/road/index.htm.

CPC guide now available
A new guide for training providers of LGV, bus and coach drivers has been published by the Driving Standards Agency and GoSkills.

The guide gives details of periodic training needed for the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), and what training providers need to do in order to get centre approval to deliver this training.

The new rules come into effect in September 2008 for bus and coach drivers and September 2009 for lorry drivers.

Nick Carter, DSA's director of strategy and performance, said: "Driver CPC is being introduced to improve road safety and develop and maintain high standards of professional driving in the bus, coach and road haulage industries."

For further information contact DSA on 0115 901 2851/2.

Pass Plus success
A scheme that offers newly qualified drivers a grant towards the cost of Pass Plus training has been so successful that it is to be extended.

Almost 500 drivers have taken Pass Plus tuition under the scheme, which was launched last autumn by road safety teams in Avon and Somerset. Extra funding has now been provided so another 130 drivers can take advantage of the opportunity.

Anyone who has passed his or her test since 1 October 2006 is being offered a £75 grant towards the normal £130 cost of taking Pass Plus with a DSA approved instructor.

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

Powerful play tours Bucks schools
The theatre in education production 'Pills, Thrills and Automobiles' will be performed in 10 Buckinghamshire schools this week.

The show uses the story of four 18-year-old friends to highlight the issue of speed and drugs. Background video and animation complement the live performance.

For further information contact Anushka Desai, adesai@buckscc.gov.uk .

National database goes live
A new online facility for road safety practitioners, UK-MoRSE, is to be launched by a road safety consultancy, GreenSafe.

UK-MoRSE is a monitoring tool that can provide local and national performance information to road safety practitioners. Nine partner organisations have agreed to test the system between now and the launch in May.

UK-MoRSE can be found at www.greensafe.co.uk. Anyone interested in helping with testing the system should email ukmorse@greensafe.co.uk , or contact Mike Mounfield on 07764511355.

TfL: zone extension will improve road safety
TfL's director of congestion charging has said the extension of the zone will improve the health and safety of residents.

Malcolm Murray-Clark said: "Since the introduction of the charge in 2003, traffic levels have reduced by 20%. This has led to a significant cut in CO2 emissions. Roads safety has also improved, with 70 fewer accidents each year directly because of the congestion charge.

"This has contributed to the growth of cycling, and now more people than ever before are travelling by bike. Since 2000 there has been a 72% increase in the number of cyclists on the capital's major roads."

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

Chocolate car

A Chinese car dealer covered a VW Beetle car in chocolate for Valentine's Day.

About 200kgs of melted chocolate was spread over the VW Beetle after it was first wrapped in cling film. Seven people worked overnight to make sure the chocolate car was ready to go on display on the morning of Valentine's Day.

According to China News Network, the car attracted many viewers and lovers to the dealer in Qingdao city.

For the full story go to: http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_2204154

Cars to drive themselves

Cars that can drive themselves - like 'Kitt' in Knight Rider - will be common in less than 20 years, according to a recent report on Sky News.

US researchers say vehicles equipped with GPS positioning and artificial intelligence will be safer than cars driven by humans.

Researchers from Stanford University in California have developed a vehicle (called Stanley), which used sensors, lasers, cameras and on-board computers to navigate a 132-mile course through the Nevada desert. Now they are designing 'Junior', a modified VW Passat that will be able to steer itself through a busy city.

For the full story go to: http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_2209076.html