Brake breaks record

Brake, the national road safety charity, has set a new Guinness world record for the largest walking bus.

The record-breaking event, which involved 57,476 children from 342 schools across the UK, took place on 14 June 2006.

On 13 June this year, Brake will attempt to smash its own record by getting 80,000 children to take part.

Schools can register for the event now by contacting Jeremy at Brake on 01484 559909, or by email at walkingbus@brake.org.uk.

Facelift for Firstcar

FirstCar Magazine for young drivers has undergone a design revamp and now comes ready-boxed in branded dispensers.  

"Issue 11 was released last week and should prove a turning point for the publication, which we hope will grow in circulation over the coming issues," says James Evans, Firstcar's publisher.

Currently 150,000 copies are published each quarter, and are used by 80 road safety units in their work with young drivers. A new member of the Firstcar team, Andrew Richardson, has come on board to increase the circulation by up to 50% by the September issue.  

"We are committed to making FirstCar a first-class educational resource for young drivers. With the support of more road safety units this is a goal well within our grasp," James Evans adds.

For more information about FirstCar contact Andrew Richardson on 01304 368001.

Smoking 'distraction'
Under the new Health Act, which comes into force later this year, all company vehicles - including cars, vans and trucks - will carry a no smoking ban for drivers and passengers.

The Act treats company vehicles as 'work places' if they are used by more than one employee. Employees who have a company vehicle may not smoke while carrying colleagues for work. And drivers will not be allowed to smoke in a company vehicle if it is used by more than one employee - for example pool cars.

With research from Monash University in Australia concluding that smoking while driving could be more serious than other distractions (like using a mobile phone or eating) the Act could also deliver road safety benefits.

For more information go to: http://www.virtualriskmanager.net/

'P' plate petition
Learn and Live, the young driver pressure group, has placed a petition on the 10 Downing Street website asking the prime minister to introduce a graduated driving licence to include a two year probationary period after passing the practical test.

The petition suggests that during this probationary period newly qualified drivers must display 'P' plates and must not carry more than one young passenger unless there is an adult aged over 25 in the vehicle (excluding parents carrying their own children).

Drivers would not receive a full licence until they had safely completed this period, which could be extended as a result of traffic offences. Live and Learn says that this type of licence is the only measure shown internationally to have cut the rates of death and injury in this group.

The link to the petition is: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/graduatedlicence/

Bikeability website on the way
A Bikeability website is being launched to coincide with the national rollout of Bikeability across England from April onwards.  

After the roll out, all providers of cycle training will be able to participate in the Bikeability award scheme - providing they are delivering National Standards cycle training with accredited instructors.

The Bikeability website will include an interactive map showing parents, children, schools and others whether Bikeability is available in their area. There will also be a general helpline for people to find out more.

For further information contact Mark McCartney, Mark.McCartney@bluerubicon.com

BrightKidz founder shortlisted for ethical award

BrightKidz founder Alison Holland has joined some of the UK's best ethical businesses in the shortlist for this year's Women in Ethical Business Awards.

The awards celebrate the best ethical business in the UK founded or run by a woman. The winners will be announced at Shakespeare's Globe in London on 24 May.

Alison Holland has been shortlisted for a new category, which recognises female entrepreneurs who have demonstrated they have what it takes to pioneer an ethical business.

BrightKidz (Safe Kids Walking Ltd) encourages safe and healthy journeys to school, including the 'walking bus'. The social enterprise produces a range of fluorescent reflective clothing for children and adults.

For further information go to: www.activatemoney.com or www.brightkidz.co.uk

Drink-drivers to face rehab?
Tougher penalties for drink-drivers could be introduced if a recommendation in a Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) report is adopted.

The report also calls for the consequences of taking alcohol to be included in the school curriculum, and suggests that drink-drive rehabilitation courses be made mandatory for all those convicted of being over the legal alcohol limit.

Prepared for the DfT, the report looks at the take-up rates and subsequent reconviction rates for those convicted of drinking and driving and referred to the drink-drive rehabilitation course scheme between April 2000 and March 2002.

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

Drivers succumb to deadly distractions
Research published last week by Brake and Green Flag shows that 57% of drivers admit to driving while distracted by changing the radio, talking on a mobile phone, or by passengers. 

Half of drivers from the poll of more than 1,000 admitted to eating a meal while driving and more than a quarter said they change CDs or tapes while on move.

Brake says that research from Sweden shows these distractions, and others such as sat-nav systems, can be deadly.   

For further information contact: Dianne Ferreira on 01484 559909.

Oldest driver clocks up 100
Britain's oldest driver celebrated his 100th birthday with a spin in his Reliant Robin.

Norman Yeo never actually passed a test to drive a car. He obtained his motorbike licence in 1952 and has been driving three-wheelers for the past 35 years without an accident or speeding ticket.

Norman, of Long Aston, Bristol said: "I started off with an engine on the back of a bicycle. It's good that they still let me drive. I got something in the post last year saying I've got another three years - so I could still be driving until I'm 102."

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