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Success highlighted at briefing
An approach that has successfully reduced road deaths in North Yorkshire was highlighted at last week's Westminster briefing, Education and Enforcement: How Can Local Authorities Improve Road Safety?

A delegation from the council and police force explained how concerted campaigning has significantly reduced fatalities and serious injuries on North Yorkshire's 6,000 miles of roads. The joint campaign has seen a reduction in road deaths and serious injuries from an annual figure of 1,000 at the end of the 1990s to fewer than 700 at the end of last year. There has been a particular focus on targeting motorcyclists.

David Lindsay, county RSO, said: "By working together to target groups that we knew from our accident data were high risk, we have managed to reduce the numbers ahead of the Government target."

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

Bucks launches TOTAL roadshow

Buckinghamshire's road safety team launched the TOTAL car seat checking road show at Lent Rise Service Station, Burnham on 20 June.

The county's RSOs visited a different TOTAL forecourt every last week (Child Safety Week).

Peter Cartwright, Buckinghamshire's spokesperson for transportation said: "Recent checks carried out in Bucks showed that a large number of child car seats are still incorrectly fitted. Working in partnership with TOTAL UK and BPA, we encouraged people to take this opportunity to make sure their child is travelling safely."

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

Police speed review brings changes
Derbyshire police and a police watchdog group have introduced changes after 59 officers were caught speeding, but escaped prosecution.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has revealed how a joint review led to a series of proposals following revelations about officers caught on safety cameras.

And Derbyshire Constabulary has introduced changes including better guidance for staff and more visible blue lights.

Amerdeep Somal, IPCC commissioner for Derbyshire, said: "The public are entitled to know police are treated no differently to them when there has been a speed camera activation."

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

Islanders reject speed limit plan
Isle of Man residents have rejected plans to introduce a national speed limit on unrestricted roads.

54% of the 13,600 people who responded to a questionnaire voted against a 70mph limit, and 55% rejected a 60mph limit.

Government figures show that of the 39 deaths in traffic accidents over the past three years, 30 were on roads with no speed limits.

Transport minister Phil Braidwood said he accepted the public response, but safety measures would continue. In a separate statement 24 hours later he announced that a safety camera is to be introduced to measure speeds, but not to fine people.

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

TMS unveils STP course
TMS Consultancy is to run a two-day course later this year focusing on School Travel Plans and Safer Routes to School.

The course, to be held 10-11 October, will comprise a thorough introduction to the topics, and will set out to give delegates confidence to undertake projects on these subjects.

For further information go to: http://www.tmsconsultancy.co.uk.

Speed limit for death crash road
The speed limit on a stretch of the A6 near Plumpton in Cumbria where six people died in a two-car crash, is to be lowered.

Cumbria County Council says it is to reduce the speed limit from 60mph to 40mph, and make other changes to improve safety, including interactive 'slow down' signs, road markings and lighting.

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

Digital cameras to replace Gatso

A new generation of digital speed cameras that do not flash are being rolled out by the London Safety Camera Partnership (LSCP).

The cameras are activated by a loop embedded in the road surface and take three pictures, one of which identifies details of the offending vehicle. 200 of the devices are planned to be operational by 2007 and up to a 1,000 by the end of the decade.

The new digital cameras, which transfer images electronically to a processing centre, will progressively replace the Gatso cameras.

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

MP calls for tougher drink-drive limit
Edinburgh MP Mark Lazarowicz has called for a cut in the drink driving limit after senior Scottish police officers told him it would cut deaths and injuries on the city's roads.

The MP told transport minister Stephen Ladyman that the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland is urging a cut from 80mg per 100 ml of blood to 50 - in line with most other European countries.

For the full story go to: http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com.

Man pays speeding ticket - 52 years later
A Sussex man who forgot about a speeding fine for 52 years has paid up after finding the ticket in an old coat pocket.

John Gedge, 84, was caught doing 55mph in a 35mph zone during a holiday to Philadelphia in the US in July 1954.

He promised to pay the fine when he returned to his hotel but forgot - until he found the speeding ticket last week. He sent a note of apology with a £5 note to Philadelphia police and phoned to say sorry.

John, who lives in an East Sussex nursing home, said: "I told them that Englishmen always pay their debts and my conscience is now clear."

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