Drivers face random breath tests
The BBC reported last week that drivers 'could face random breath tests under government plans to combat drink-driving' outlined in the DfT's Three Year Road Safety Review.

The review said tougher enforcement is the best way to tackle the drink drive problem - and that the DfT will consult on random breath tests during 2007 and also examine the level of the blood-alcohol limit.

Despite a decline in drink-related deaths in 2005, there were still more that year than in 1998 and 1999.

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

Brake to host young driver conference

The road safety charity Brake is to host an international young driver congress in London on 3 May.

Topics to be covered on the day will include: government policies on young driver safety; the extent of the problem - analysis of young driver crashes; the latest research - attitudes and behaviour of young drivers and passengers; a structured approach to learning to drive - international case studies of graduated driver licensing; innovative approaches to awareness-raising - through local and national campaigns; and rehabilitation - educating young drivers who offend.

Click here for further information and to download the conference brochure and registration form.

Cameras could catch drivers on the phone
Safety camera and CCTV evidence can be used to prosecute drivers talking on mobile phones while at the wheel, police said last week.

Meredydd Hughes, Chief Constable of South Yorkshire and head of roads policing for the Association of Chief Constables, said: "If officers using mobile cameras see someone using a hand-held phone, whether with their own eyes or through the lens of their camera, then they are fair game.

"Automated cameras will remain specifically to catch speeding drivers and there is no policy currently to trawl photographic evidence from speed camera images to target mobile phone users. However, that is not to say that we can't change the policy."

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

BBC screens train crash item

A stunt involving a staged train accident at a level crossing was broadcast on the BBC's Top Gear programme.

The dramatic incident was created by Network Rail as part of a £3m campaign to increase safety awareness at level crossings. The 'accident' featured a locomotive hitting a people carrier at 70mph on a line in rural Lincolnshire. It is the first staged accident to be held in over a decade.

Network Rail organised it as part of their Don't Run The Risk campaign, said to be the most extensive public safety programme ever run by the rail industry.

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

Online service for new drivers
A new online service, aimed at the UK's young and newly qualified drivers, has been launched.

WELL-DRIVEN.NET monitors driver performance and behaviour through stickers encouraging feedback from other road users. Incidents can be reported online, or through the local rate 0845 telephone number. Drivers are instantly alerted to new reports and statistics are available online.

For further information contact Gavin Reynolds on 07950 936226, or info@well-driven.net

Brake unveils dates for Road Safety Week
Brake has announced that this year's Road Safety Week will take place 5-11 November 2007 - and is calling on schools, youth and community groups, road safety professionals, emergency services, and communities to get involved.

The main theme this year is child pedestrian and cyclist safety. The charity suggests that initiatives could range from running a road safety poster competition for local children, handing out safe driving leaflets at a local shopping centre, or running a campaign for safer roads with the local paper.

For more information go to www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk

Ridewell plans unveiled

The eighth Annual Ridewell two wheeled road safety day, organised by Cleveland Police and Stockton Council, will take place on 8 July.

The 'Handle it or lose it' team will provide an observed ride, with the best candidates winning prizes donated by local dealers.

The Guisborough Motor Club will once again host the Ridewell Trials Competition, which will feature riders from all over the north east.

For further information contact Steve Darby or Kevin Keay on 01642 301574, or ridewell@cleveland.pnn.police.uk.

IHIE welcomes motorcycles TAL
The Institute of Highway Incorporated Engineers (IHIE) is hoping that a Traffic Advisory Leaflet (TAL) on the use of bus lanes by motorcycles, published by DfT last week, will overcome the hesitation of some local authorities.

IHIE says that some local authorities have been wary of allowing motorcycles to access bus lanes along with cyclists and taxis.

Commenting on the publication of the TAL, IHIE vice president Tony Sharp, said: "Previous trials have shown that there is significant potential to reduce crashes by allowing motorcycles to access bus lanes. The new advice makes it clear that it is now up to local authorities, in consultation with all effected stakeholders, to decide where they will or will not allow access into bus lanes by motorcycles."

Copies of the TAL can be downloaded from, www.ihie.org.uk.

Road deaths cost economy £8bn a year
England's road safety record is one of the best in Europe - but the 3,000 deaths every year cost the economy nearly £8bn, according to a report published last week by the Audit Commission (The Guardian).

Only the Netherlands and Sweden have a better safety record, with the worst being the Czech Republic, Greece and Poland. But the number of child pedestrian deaths shows England has a poor record. 10 countries have fewer child deaths - and among the worst are Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The countries with the lowest rate of child casualties tend to have more speed reduction measures, light-controlled crossings and play areas. Another significant factor is poverty. The estimated injury rate for child pedestrians is four times higher in the most deprived area than the least deprived.

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

Low-cost workshops on risk management
The Fleet Safety Forum, a division of road safety charity Brake, is running three half-day workshops to help fleet managers run safe, effective, efficient fleets.

The workshops will cover three key topics - managing driver agencies (Warrington, 17 April), presenting a fleet safety case to the board (Leamington Spa, 25 April), and conducting a fleet safety audit (Nottingham, 23 May).

Workshops include best practice case studies and speakers, including Dr Will Murray, respected fleet academic and research director of Interactive Driving Systems. The cost is £55 (+VAT) for Fleet Safety Forum subscribers or £65 (+VAT) for non-subscribers.

Contact Adam Casper at Brake on 01484 559909, or acasper@brake.org.uk to book or for further information.

Wuff luck
A Polish teenager says he failed his driving test for swerving to avoid running over a stray dog.

Lech Nowak, 18, from Lodz, said the driving instructor had told him to drive down a road keeping in a straight line. But he had to swerve when a dog ran out in front of him, and was then told he had failed.

He said: "The instructor told me I should have kept driving in a straight line and killed the dog instead of swerving."

He has lodged a complaint and wants to retake his test for free.

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