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Government may extend fixed-penalty fines

The government is considering extending fixed-penalty fines to cover a greater number of motoring offences, in order to relieve over-burdened magistrates' courts (Surveyor, 10 Nov).

According to a White Paper published recently by the Department of Constitutional Affairs, the government 'is monitoring the impact of existing fixed-penalty notices, and will consider whether there is a case for extending them to a wider range of offences'.

The move comes after figures revealed that 707,918 drivers were convicted last year which included a 9% increase in speeding offences.

Partnership campaigns win commendation...

Safety camera partnerships working together in the Midlands have received a commendation from the Prince Michael Awards for delivering campaigns to educate drivers on the dangers of speeding.  

The partnerships' summer 2005 campaign, Excuses, targeted 25-34 year old drivers, who reported that they often drive under pressure and regularly and knowingly exceed the speed limit. The advertising material used common excuses given for speeding such as Running late? and Late for work? alongside images of the aftermath of a crash.

The more recent It's not impressive campaign was designed to bring home the consequences of speeding to teenagers and young adults. The campaign played on these drivers' concerns that their fast driving could result in someone close to them being killed or injured. The strap lines, Out with your mates? and First date?, were used alongside visuals showing the aftermath of a collision.

"Some people may be shocked or upset by these images, particularly if the have been affected by the trauma of a road traffic collision," said Vicki Bristow , communications manager for the West Mercia safety camera partnership. "However, one of the key lessons we have learnt from talking to drivers is that if we want to slow people down we have to make them aware that the potential consequences of driving too fast can be truly horrific."

...along with Warwickshire campaign

A scheme for young people in Warwickshire has received a commendation from the Prince Michael Awards scheme.  

Driving Ambitions is designed to reduce young driver road casualties by educating and encouraging them to consider the impact speeding can have on themselves and others.

The scheme comprises a series of road safety education initiatives offered to pupils in years 8, 9 and 10. The programme includes understanding the need for casualty reduction, recognising the causes of collisions (speed, alcohol, drugs) and looking at what can be done to reduce speed related collisions.

32 schools took part in Driving Ambitions over the past 12 months, and 45 have signed up again this academic year.

For further information contact Alison Hallam, alisonhallam@warwickshire.gov.uk

Speed awareness grows - but casualties still rise

A new survey by Cumbria Safety Cameras says that young motorists in Cumbria are aware of the dangers of speeding - even though fatalities involving those aged 16-24 continue to rise.

Cumbria Safety Cameras asked people if their awareness of the dangers of speed had changed in the past 12 months. Overall 44% of respondents said that it had changed, but in the 16-24 age group this figure rose to 57%.

"Although it is pleasing that awareness of the dangers of excessive and inappropriate speed is increasing, we have yet to witness this being put into practice," said Kevin Tea , Cumbria Safety Cameras' communications manager. "Accidents involving young drivers accounted for almost 50% of all fatal accidents in Cumbria between August 2004 and July this year."

Respondents also believe that passengers have a right to influence driver behaviour. 95% of those questioned said that passengers have the right to tell drivers to slow down or drive in a more appropriate manner.

"One of the problems is multiple fatalities among youngsters in one car and these could be avoided if one of them had the courage to speak up and get the driver to behave in a more responsible manner," said Mr Tea.

For the full article visit: http://www.newsandstar.co.uk

Derbyshire pupils publish safety calendar 

13 Derbyshire schools have joined forces with the county council to produce the 2006 Art of Road Safety calendar.

Each school was given a month, a road safety message and an artist. Pupils were asked to create artwork based on the message and in the style of the given artist. Messages included school crossing patrols, drink driving and pedestrian crossings.

The winners attended a presentation ceremony at County Hall where their original artwork was displayed. Pupils were given a road safety rucksack and winning schools were presented with a book about famous artists.

"The 2005 calendar proved so successful we decided to repeat it for 2006," said councillor Joyce Sanders , Derbyshire County Council's cabinet member for community safety services. "The calendar promotes road safety messages in a clear and understandable way while providing the basis for art lessons."

The calendar will be distributed to schools, councillors, local authorities, Derbyshire police, the safety camera team and the Institute of Road Safety Officers.

For further information contact Shonagh MacKenzie on 01629 585269, or shonagh.mackenzie@derbyshire.gov.uk. Or visit: http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk

Long service recognised at difficult time for SCPs

Somerset school crossing patrol Mary Williams has been presented with a long service award for her dedication in helping youngsters cross the road during the past 25 years.  

She was presented with a long service badge and certificate, and the children remembered her and other SCPs in a specially composed prayer.

However, Rina Cameron , Somerset County Council's road safety manager, says that the SCP's role is becoming increasingly difficult because of drivers who fail to stop or are rude and abusive to them. "Because of this we are running a Stop Means Stop campaign in schools that have a school crossing patrol," she said.  

Mary Williams was said to be 'delighted' to hear about the campaign, which includes 10,000 novelty 'bugs' in the form of a patrol carrying the Stop Means Stop message. Posters are also being used in schools to reinforce the message.

For further information contact Rina Cameron on 01823 358190.

Advanced test goes eco

The DIAmond Advanced Motorists group is claiming that its advanced driving test is the first to include eco-safe driving techniques.

Under the latest EU directive on driving licences, eco-safe driving techniques are now built into the government test taken by would-be driving instructors. The directive reflects the increased need for economical and environmentally friendly driving, without any compromise on safety.

Typical examples of eco-safe driving, which save fuel and reduce harmful emissions, include:

· Using cruise control (if fitted) when road, weather and traffic conditions are suitable for a fixed speed to be maintained;

· Reducing speed at an early stage by lifting off the accelerator, rather than braking at the last moment;

· Keeping a vehicle on the move whenever and wherever it is safe to do so, rather than stopping and moving away from rest;

· Using the power or torque characteristics of an engine to drive in the highest gear possible without causing the engine to labour.

For further information please contact Colin O'Connell or Peter Laub on 0845 345 5151.

New support for home zones

A new website, www.homezones.org.uk, provides a one-stop-shop for developers, local authorities and consultants seeking to create a top quality home zone.

The site has been developed by the Institute of Highway Incorporated Engineers (IHIE), publishers of the Home Zone Design Guidelines, with support from DfT.

"Home zones are part of the government's vision for sustainable communities and can help make streets safer, more sociable places to live and work in," IHIE's Phil Jones told delegates at last week's Home Zones Challenge Conference . "This new website will be an authoritative source of information and a resource for both professionals and communities."     

The site will showcase proposed and newly built home zone schemes in new developments and in existing streets.

For further information contact Judith Walker, IHIE secretary, on 020 7436 7487, or secretary@ihie.org.uk.

Women's safety seminars announced

The driver training consultancy Driver Training Matters has joined forces with the The Suzy Lamplugh Trust to provide seminars to help women minimise the risks they face when driving.

The Women's Personal Safety when Driving seminar covers subjects including personal strategies & skills, travelling by car and 'what if' situations. The course includes interactive sessions where women can discuss and address particular issues they may face or fear when driving. An advanced driving course with ex traffic police training consultants is also available.

"Our business is all about improving the safety of drivers and we are delighted to be working with The Suzy Lamplugh Trust on improving women's personal safety when driving," said Sue Read, co director of Driver Training Matters. "With our knowledge we can help women be more confident and avoid potential problems. We will provide solutions to help women live safer, more confident lives and enjoy driving".

For further information visit: http://www.drivertrainingmatters.co.uk/women.htm

Florescent for day, reflective for night

Safe Kids Walking, a not-for-profit social enterprise, is promoting the message 'fluorescent for day, reflective for night' through its BrightKidz reflective products.

As part of the campaign a competition in parent magazines is offering BrightKidz products as prizes to winners who answer a 'fluorescent for day, reflective for night' question

"Many parents seem to be getting the message about reflective materials making you more visible after dark," said founder Alison Holland . "However, they often don't realise how effective fluorescent materials are in poor daylight, and particularly towards dusk.

The BrightKidz range comprises four fluorescent colours for daytime and night time visibility. The organisation has also produced a high vis school resource pack to promote understanding of the qualities of fluorescent and reflective materials.

For further information visit www.brightkidz.co.uk

Plymouth raises child KSI bar

Plymouth City Council has exceeded the government's 50% child KSI reduction target and has set itself a new target of an 80% reduction by 2010.

The council last week published its Child Road Safety Audit, which outlines the scale, nature and location of child casualties based on 2004 figures. The council has reduced child casualties by 55% five years ahead of the government's 2010 deadline.

For the full press release visit: http://www.plymouth.gov.uk

Brake calendar - available now

Brake 's 2006 road safety calendar features road safety pictures drawn by children, as well as tips for drivers and children based on Brake's Pledge to Drive Safely.

Priced at £3 per copy (plus p&p), the calendar raises funds for Brake and also promotes road safety as a year round issue. A company logo can be printed onto the calendar for orders of 100+ copies.

To order email admin@brake.org.uk , or ring 01484 559909.

Play spells out speeding lessons

The Ape Theatre Company is performing the Lethal Weapon road safety play to pupils across Derbyshire during November, to try to reduce the number of teenage road casualties.

Lethal Weapon tells the story of sixth form sweethearts Andy and Jazz as they tackle exam pressure, come into an inheritance, acquire a high performance car - and consequently cross paths with the law for speeding.

The play is aimed at Year 11 pupils and will be performed in 10 schools.