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A cuppa for Kerbcraft

After successfully completing their Kerbcraft training, pupils at Udston Primary School in South Lanarkshire held a tea party for those who gave up their time to help.

"Kerbcraft would not be possible without our volunteers," said Alison Hogg, South Lanarkshire Council's Kerbcraft co-ordinator. "With all the schools involved in the scheme we have dozens of people who are giving their time to help pupils learn life-saving lessons in road safety."

Car hire company re-launches safety campaign

Online car hire specialist carrentals.co.uk is re-launching a road safety campaign that it operated last winter.

Road Sense promotes safety during the winter months and includes a national survey on road safety and female drivers. The survey is supported by a range of activities including special offers for women drivers, on-line driving tips, free reflective stickers for schools, and a fortnightly e-letter to a database of 65,000 customers.

For further information contact Helena Szehidewicz on 01625 507 205, or mailto: helena@contextpr.co.uk

Accident fears over mini motorbikes

In the run up to Christmas RoSPA urged parents not to rush into buying a mini motorbike or other powered toy vehicle.

The Society knows of four deaths involving mini motorbikes and fears there could be more serious accidents if people purchase them without being aware of potential problems.

Some of the bikes cost less than £150 and can travel in excess of 40mph. They are mostly illegal for road use and can only be ridden on private land with the owner's permission.

"There is a big demand for mini motorbikes, quad bikes and powered scooters," said Peter Cornall, RoSPA's head of water and leisure safety. "The major problem is finding somewhere that they can be used without putting the rider and other innocent people in danger."

There is a network of clubs across the UK that can offer training and safe riding opportunities. For further information contact the Auto Cycle Union at www.acu.org.uk

For the full press release go to: http://www.rospa.org.uk

Man City star helps with festive drink drive campaign

Manchester's 2005 Christmas drink-drive campaign had the support of Manchester City football hero and USA international, Claudio Reyna.

An 'ad van' displaying the image of a man lying on a hospital trolley with the slogan Small Drink, Big Price toured the city. And at the launch RSOs distributed leaflets, alcohol unit counters and recipes for non-alcoholic cocktails to passers by in Manchester's Piccadilly Gardens.

"We don't want to stop people enjoying themselves but we do want people to take responsibility for their actions and to consider the terrible consequences of drinking and driving," said Manchester City Council's executive member for planning and environment, councillor Neil Swannick.

For further information contact Mark Jacewicz on 0161 234 4888

Freed-up funds will boost north east safety

A camera partnership manager in the north east claims that almost £2m will be 'freed up' to spend on road safety projects in the region.

Ray King, project manager of the Northumbria Safety Partnership, said the region could expect improvements to junctions and signs because speeding fines will no longer be channelled into new cameras.

"We have always said that cameras should only be used as a last resort," Mr King said. "However, in the past we have only been able to spend money on camera-related activity. The announcement means additional funding will be available locally to improve road safety by engineering measures before a camera is needed."

Drivers urged to 'turn off before you drive off'

Lancashire's Road Safety Group is urging motorists to turn off their mobiles before they drive - just as they turn them off before the film in cinemas.

A 10-second cinema commercial aired before films over the Christmas period shows the potential consequences of calling or texting while driving, and ended with the message Switch off before you drive off.

"People automatically turn off their mobile phones when they go to the cinema to avoid embarrassing themselves and annoying other people," said Clare Farrer, principal road safety adviser for the road safety group. "Now we want them to automatically switch off their mobiles before they drive to protect themselves and other road users."

For further information contact call the road safety group on 0800 328 1635, or go to: www.lancashireroadsafety.co.uk.

Camera vandals 'risk lives'

The Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership says vandals attacking speed cameras are ultimately putting lives at risk.

10 camera units have been destroyed in Lincolnshire in the past 12 months. The attacks include spraying the camera lenses with black paint, and police say it may be the work of an organised gang.

"This act of vandalism is putting motorists at even greater risk," said the Partnership's Joanna Smith. "We put cameras at sites where there is a history of problems and by vandalising them you're putting further risk on motorists along these routes."

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

Christmas came early for Roadlife winner

A 30 year-old Lancastrian lady recently won a mini iPod for winning a Travelwise competition in the county's Roadlife magazine.

Rukaya Chandia submitted information about how she travels to work and was chosen out of hundreds of entries.

"I entered for a chance to win but also to share my travel choices," she said. "I feel the magazine is important for young people and is an ideal way to make people more aware of road safety issues in Lancashire. I particularly enjoyed the article on Amir Khan learning to drive and the TravelWise commuter challenge."

Road safety adviser and Roadlife editor, Alison Gudgeon , added: "We had hundreds of entries with lots of people anxious to get their hands on the mini iPod. The competition has been a huge success and I would like to thank everyone who took the time to enter."

For further information contact Martin Crabtree on 01772 530726, or martin.crabtree@css.lancscc.gov.uk