Welcome to Road Safety Wales
2/10/08
Over 140 road safety professionals from the Principality gathered in Cardiff on 29/30 September for the second Road Safety Wales Conference.
Topics included: The Gwent Car Crime Awareness Day; Safe Routes In Communities; DIY Streets; the Growth of 20 mph Zones; More People Cycling, More Safely, More Often; Young Drivers – Will They Ever Learn? Sleepy Drivers and The Problem of Road Safety In Socially Deprived Areas. Presentations can be found in the members' section of this website.
The Conference dinner also included the 9th Annual Wales Road Safety Award Ceremony. The Welsh Assembly Government’s Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones, presented the Awards which are supported by Chevron.
This year’s recipients included a student from the Vale of Glamorgan, a school crossing patrol from Cardiff, a cinema manager from Neath Port Talbot, a car dealership from Rhondda Cynon Taf and two secondary schools from Carmarthenshire.
The Deputy First Minister said, “It is a pleasure to present these awards and I congratulate all of the award winners on their commitment to improve road safety. Improving road safety in all areas of Wales is one of our ‘One Wales’ commitments and since 2000 we have allocated over £54 million directly to local authorities to help them deliver and implement road safety projects and initiatives in their local areas. In addition we have allocated over £27 million to our popular Safe Routes to School initiative and this year £10 million has gone to local authorities to help them implement projects that enhance safe routes in the community.”
1/10/08
A drive to encourage pupils at St Therese's Catholic Primary School to get on their bikes has received a welcomed boost with the installation of new bike racks.
The school received funding from the Healthy Schools Initiative to purchase the racks, which were fitted by Neath Port Talbot Council's Road Safety team during the summer holidays.
Staff at the school have worked tirelessly to encourage pupils to use more healthy modes of transport to travel back and forth to school.
Cabinet member for environment Arwyn Woolcock said the school has the advantage of being situated on flat land and in close proximity to pupils' homes in the Sandfields estate.
"However, being based in such a large housing estate means that the area becomes more heavily congested than would normally expected around other schools," he said.
"By cycling to school the children are doing their bit to help ease congestions, improve safety for pedestrians and reduce pollution.
"The initiative will also impact on the children's health by encouraging them to take regular exercise."
Since the start of the new academic year, the pupils of St Therese's have made a conscience effort to use this new facility to not only improve their fitness but also to consider their safety by abiding by the new school rules of , No Helmet No Bike!
"I am delighted to see that the pupils of St Therese's Primary School are enjoying the benefit of their newly fitted bike racks," added Councillor Woolcock.
The Road Safety unit are also encouraging safe riding by offering skills sessions throughout the school.
25/9/08
Winners in five categories have been selected to receive this year's Road Safety Wales Awards, which are supported by Chevron, Pembroke Plant. A presentation ceremony will be held at the Road Safety Wales Conference Dinner on 29 September at the Future Inns, Cardiff.
As part of a Road Traffic Collision Reduction Initiative recently organised by Penarth Fire Station, Emily Gronow a pupil at St Cyres School in the town, entered a competition to create a message targeting young drivers and passengers. Based on the anti drink drive poem ‘Went To A Party, Mum’, Emily created an impactive DVD which is to be used in future initiatives. Nominated for a Road Safety Wales Award by the Penarth Fire Station Crew, Emily has been chosen as the 2008 Individual Award winner.
Denise Cummings, a School Crossing Patrol at Herbert Thompson Primary School, Ely, Cardiff, has been dedicated to the role for twenty years. She is regarded as a highly valued member of staff by the school and the Cardiff Road Safety Team. In recognition of her tireless devotion, Denise will receive the School Crossing Patrol Award.
In the Education Award category, two schools have been selected for their involvement in an innovative pilot scheme, which gives every pupil in every age group a targeted road safety lesson. Both schools, Queen Elizabeth High School, Johnstown and Ysgol Gyfun Strade, Llanelli, have developed sophisticated Road Safety Development Plans to ensure the effective delivery of road safety education throughout a pupil’s school life.
The Apollo Cinema, Port Talbot, has supported the work of the Neath Port Talbot Road Safety Unit for several years. They host a series of quizzes through the year and fully support the ‘Footprint To The Stars’ initiative, whereby school children are recognised for their walk to school efforts with free entry to the Sunday Lunchtime Film Club. Evaluation of the scheme has seen a 50% increase in the number of pupils walking to school. In acknowledgment of their commitment to road safety, Tim Morgan, Apollo Cinema Manager will collect the 2008 Community Award.
In the Commercial Award category, Hutchings Garage, were selected for their invaluable support of a new bilingual Theatre In Education Tour visiting schools throughout Rhondda Cynon Taf. A launch was held at their Treforest Industrial Estate Showroom and the company provided a transit van which advertised the tour and transported equipment.
Congratulations are conveyed to the winners, who will be presented with their awards by Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones.
25/9/08
The number of children under 12 injured in car accidents in Great Britain fell by more than 1,000 in the first full year since the introduction of the new car seat law, according to figures released today.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents welcomed the news as proof that the legislation was working and helping to reduce pain and suffering for children and their families.
New legislation was introduced in September 2006 making it compulsory for children under 12 and below 4ft 5in (1.35m) tall to use child car seats or booster seats.
In 2005, the last year before the law came in 7,033, children under 12 were injured while passengers in cars, and 326 of them were killed or seriously injured. Last year the number hurt had fallen to 5,927, with 271 killed or seriously injured.
Steve Baker, Head of RoSPA Wales, said: “This is more good news following the announcement in the summer that road deaths in Britain were down to 2,946 – the first time they have fallen below 3,000 since records began 80 years ago.
“It shows that child car seats work and when children are using the correct restraint for their size they have a better chance of surviving an accident.
“The latest report from the Department for Transport also shows that the provisional figure for drink-drive deaths is down from 560 in 2006 to 460 last year. But we would see even more improvement if the drink-drive limit was reduced.
“We must not be complacent. The report underlines that driver error is still the major problem where road accidents are concerned. Four of the five most frequently reported contributory factors involved driver error or reaction, with failing to look properly, the most frequently reported contributory factor, being recorded in 35 per cent of accidents. Loss of control was involved in a third of fatal accidents.
“More emphasis still needs to be given to work-related road safety. Eighteen per cent of accidents where the purpose of the journey was known involved someone being at work at the time – but the real figure could well be much higher as the journey purpose was not known in 72 per cent of crashes. Many employers still need to do more to manage occupational road risk and make it part of their mainstream health and safety policies.”
24/9/08
A group of cadets have helped produce a DVD which promotes a North Wales education centre. ‘Dangerpoint’ is a dedicated centre in Talacre, Flintshire, which provides hands-on safety education for children and young people. Staff at the centre have been working closely with the force’s cadets from the Central Division (which cover Conwy and Denbighshire) to produce an exciting DVD which gives viewers the chance to get a flavour of what the centre has to offer to youngsters.
Over the past few weeks the cadets have been visiting the centre to produce the DVD which has now been posted on the YouTube website and helps to promote Dangerpoint’s facilities and services.
Funding and Development Officer for Dangerpoint, Victoria Burrows said: “Dangerpoint is a purpose-built education visitor centre with a stimulating, interactive and realistic set of safety scenarios – each focusing on a critical environment where safety matters.
“The dangers found in the home, beach, the railway are all highlighted as are those posed by the virtual world along with many more. There are also Rangers who are specially trained to take the children around the centre and educate them in all aspects of personal and social safety.
“Promoting the centre is the main purpose of this DVD along with showing what we have to offer - not only the children and young people of North Wales, but for the whole community.”
Sergeant Melanie Brace, cadet scheme co-ordinator said: “The cadets have supported Dangerpoint on a number of occasions since they began their two year programme back in 2007 and are very glad to have been involved with the creation of this DVD.
“We look forward to continuing our work with the Rangers and hope that many more people will take the opportunity of visiting this excellent centre.”
‘Dangerpoint’ is an independent charity that was established via a unique partnership of public, private and voluntary sector stakeholders – including North Wales Police, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, BHP Billiton and many others.
Since opening in 2005 the centre has welcomed over 17,000 children and young people throughout North Wales.
A visit to Dangerpoint is free of charge to all schools and organised groups. For more information on how to book a visit please contact the centre on 01745 850414 or visit their website on www.dangerpoint.org.uk
View the DVD here
24/9/08
78 motoring offences were detected in just one day as part of a joint operation between Denbighshire Trading Standards and North Wales Police.
Officers from the council, working with their police colleagues, stopped vehicles on the A525 St Asaph to Rhuddlan Road as part of an enforcement day looking at various offences.
The offences detected were:
- 6 overweight vehicles were served with prohibition notices
- 1 fixed penalty was issued to a motorist for carrying a dangerous load
- 1vehicle seized as having an expired Vehicle Excise Licence
- 1taxi suspended for not having a Vehicle Excise Licence
- 2 members of the public had no driver's licence
- 1 provisional driver in breach of driving conditions
- 3 motorists had no MOT certificate
- 4 drivers were not wearing seat belts
- 1 fixed penalty notice issued for smoking in a smoke free vehicle
- 58 cautions were issued for no sign displayed in smoke free vehicles.
Councillor Eryl Williams, Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, said: 'We were surprised to identify so many offences in one day. This kind of enforcement activity is designed to make our roads safety by identifying any problems with vehicles, whether they adhere to the law and whether they should be on the road in the first place.
“This enforcement sends out a clear message to the public that these kinds of offences are taken extremely seriously and will not be tolerated on the roads of Denbighshire.'
22/9/08
‘Belt up and stay safe’ – that’s the message going out in schools around Pembrokeshire this autumn.
Pembrokeshire County Council has been supporting South Wales Police with the All Wales Seatbelt Campaign launched on the 8 September in Cardiff.
As part of the campaign, officers from the Council’s road safety team have been to assemblies throughout the County over the past two weeks educating children about the dangers of not wearing a seatbelt, and to give the pupils seatbelt pads with the message:
 |
| Pictured are children from Spittal Church in Wales VC School holding their seatbelt pads |
‘Seatbelts save lives! / Mae belt yn achub bywyd’
Two thousand seatbelt pads are being given away to represent the estimated number of lives saved in Britain every year through wearing seatbelts and usage of the correct child restraint.
Councillor Jamie Adams, Cabinet Member for Highways and Planning, said people need to learn just how dangerous not wearing a belt can be.
“Our message for all drivers and passengers in Pembrokeshire of all ages is to belt up and stay safe,” he said. “People are risking their lives by not putting their seatbelts on.”
The law requires all children travelling in cars to use the correct child restraint until they are either 135 cm in height or the age of 12 (whichever they reach first). After this they must use an adult seat belt.
12/9/08
 |
Hendy Youths and Carmarthenshire Council Youth Workers. |
Carmarthenshire Youth Service has been working with young people from the Hendy area on a Responsible Road Users Project.
The aim of the nine-week programme was to contribute to a reduction in the numbers of those killed or seriously injured on the roads, by increasing road safety knowledge, skills and understanding.
The young people participated in workshops with the police and the fire brigade where they learnt about the effects of driving whilst under the influence of drugs and alcohol. As well as this, sessions on basic car maintenance and first aid was delivered.
Christopher Cray, Amman and Gwendraeth Community Youth Worker said:
“We felt there was a need for this road safety project as road accidents are more commonplace amid young people where deaths for drivers under 25 years are nearly double those of older drivers. The young people really benefited from these sessions and are more aware of the dangers that could spiral from reckless driving.”
Barrie Ashton, Community Youth Worker added:
“The Youth Services hopes to run this project with more young people in the future in order to provide them with the correct information on all aspect of road driving, basic first aid, and knowledge of the relevant laws and regulations associated with day to day driving.”
11/9/08
The first session of the 2008 Mega Drive Tour started at Ystrad Mynach College on 9 September with students from the Child Care and Early Years groups taking part.
Mega Drive is a multi-agency project between Capita Symonds Road Safety Team, Trading Standards, Red Cross, South Wales Fire and Rescue, Drugaid, Fusion, Institute of Advanced Motorists, Gwent Association of Approved Driving Instructors, and the five unitary authorities in south east Wales. The initiative is aimed at 16 – 17 year olds and is designed to educate prospective young drivers about the responsibility of driving a vehicle and give them a positive attitude before they get behind the wheel.
New young drivers between the ages of 17 and 24 are involved in a disproportionately large number of road accidents, holding 11% of the licences yet involved in 25% of collisions. The initiative aims to address this disparity and develop good driving skills in young people in Gwent.
During September and October, young people from five colleges of further education across Gwent, will be able to participate in Mega Drive. At each venue, participants will visit ten interactive workstations. They will find out about aspects which are important to driving a vehicle including: their fitness to drive a vehicle, their ability to foresee potential hazards, in-car safety, what can cause a crash in the first place and how to deal with one if they are first on the scene as well as the effects and of drugs and alcohol on driving behaviour. The session includes a 15-minute drive, under the guidance of an Approved Driving Instructor.
Hilary Fenton, Early Years Lecturer and Course Tutor said, “I think Mega Drive is an excellent scheme, all the students have enjoyed themselves a learned a great deal. It is so important that young people become aware of the responsibilities of being a car driver before they get behind a wheel for the first time.”
10/9/08
The THINK! team has published a leaflet for motorcyclists to encourage safer riding by increasing skills, taking more training and wearing protective clothing.
The leaflet targets leisure riders aged 30+ years - enthusiasts, hobbyists and ‘born again’ bikers who typically ride powerful machines on an infrequent basis.
In addition to safety messages, the leaflet includes six discount vouchers from THINK!’s motorcycling partners covering subjects including motorcycle insurance, safety gear, tyres and motorcycle lessons.
The leaflet is available to order from the THINK! catalogue - reference TINF1239, maximum order 1000 qty. For orders in excess of 1,000 qty please contact
Angharad Davies on 020 7944 4338.
10/9/08
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to take their advice over the next few days, in light of the severe weather warnings.
Fire Control Operators have received several calls to flooding incidents over the last 24 hours and are preparing to deal with busy conditions on Friday morning, when weather conditions are expected to deteriorate.
The Chief Fire Officers Association and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service advise the following:
Motorists should not attempt to drive through flooded roads or fords. The water is often deeper than it looks and may be moving quite fast. Your vehicle may be swept away or become stranded.
Do not attempt to walk through flooded areas. Even shallow water moving fast can sweep you off your feet and there may be hidden dangers such as open drains, damaged road surfaces, submerged debris or deep channels; these can cause serious injuries or even death.
Keep an eye on weather reports on local television or radio news channels. Do not travel in heavy rain storms unless absolutely necessary.
8/9/08
Young people will get the stark warning that not belting up can kill as part of an All-Wales 
campaign highlighting the dangers of not wearing seatbelts. From today, South Wales Police will lead the two-week crackdown, warning drivers they are risking their lives by not wearing belts and fining motorists and passengers who flout the laws.
Dyfed-Powys Police, Gwent Police and North Wales Police are also taking part. Police are particularly concerned about the number of young people being killed in collisions not wearing seatbelts, and people aged 17 to 25 will be educated on the dangers.
Fixed penalty notices of £30 will be issued to anyone breaking the law and some people could find themselves summonsed to court where they could face fines of up to £500.
Mother Angela Smith, from Wenvoe, Vale of Glamorgan, knows only too well the dangers of not wearing a seatbelt. Three years ago, her son Kyle, 16, was killed when he was thrown from the Renault Clio when it was involved in a collision on the A4232 near Cardiff. The car clipped the central reservation and spun. He was in the back of the car which had no rear seat and no seatbelt.
His younger brother James, who was 15 at the time, was in the front passenger seat wearing a belt and survived the collision.
Kyle told James to sit in the front and wear his belt.
“Kyle was catapulted from the rear of the car into the opposite carriageway where he was totally obliterated with horrendous head injuries and shattered limbs,” said Mrs Smith, 47, also mum to Georgina, now nine.
“There is no doubt in my mind that Kyle would have survived had he been wearing a belt in that car. We saw Kyle the next day after he had been reconstructed because his injuries were so bad.”
Kyle, who was studying his AS levels and hoped to go into carpentry or architecture in the future, was a keen footballer and also loved going clay pigeon shooting with his dad, John.
Mrs Smith, who runs Atlantic Spray vehicle repair centre in Barry with her husband, added: “Young people need to understand that they are not invincible and have to listen to what happened to Kyle and realise that not wearing a belt could cost them their life.
“I’d ask parents to talk to their children about what happened to Kyle and James and warn them that wearing a seatbelt could save their life.”
View the full story here
In 2007, 2,521 adult drivers and passengers were issued with fixed-penalty notices for not wearing belts in the South Wales Police force area alone.
Since the law to wear front seatbelts was introduced in 1983, it is estimated that more than 50,000 lives have been saved, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).
Across the whole of Wales so far this year, 61 drivers and passengers have been killed in collisions. Of those, 26 were 25 and under, equalling 43% of those killed so far this year.
South Wales Police Roads Policing Inspector Carwyn Evans said: “Young people have to realise that wearing a belt can be the difference between life and death. This year so far in South Wales, as in previous years, we have seen a number of young drivers and passengers killed on our roads who have not been wearing seatbelts.
“While collisions can be caused by a number of factors, a common reason drivers and passengers actually end up being killed is because they’re not wearing seatbelts. People die as a result of injuries that could have been avoidable. Parents must wear their belts so children learn by example as they’re growing up.
“Young people have to realise they are risking their lives by not belting up but our message is not just to young people, all drivers and passengers need to learn just how dangerous not wearing a belt can be and that we will be on the roads to catch you.”
The first week of the campaign will also coincide with a similar Europe-wide campaign by TISPOL, the European Traffic Police Network.
2/9/08
Dyfed Powys Police is offering illegal drivers a special offer – they will crush their car for free!
The force is highlighting its use of section 165 of the road traffic act which allows police to seize any vehicle which is not covered by insurance or if the driver does not have the correct licence.
Dyfed Powys Police is currently seizing around 120 vehicles a month.
To warn motorists about the legislation a crushed vehicle will be touring the force over the next few weeks. The vehicle has the clear message that if you do not have the correct documentation the police will seize the car.
Chief Inspector of Roads Policing Steve Matchett said: “Drivers sometimes think they will not bother with the cost of insurance.
“However if you drive your vehicle on a road you have a responsibility to ensure everything about the vehicle and yourself is legal. You require a valid driving licence and valid insurance.
“Throughout the force we have Automatic Number Plate Readers which enable police officers to check on the legality of vehicles within seconds.
“Should you not have the correct documents you risk having your vehicle seized and potentially crushed.
“You will also be prosecuted for the offences you have committed and could then end up with a substantial fine and points on you licence.
“The law is there to protect other drivers by ensuring vehicles are safe, people are qualified to drive them and that should a collision occur people are covered for this.
“Not having the correct documents really isn’t worth the risk – make sure you get legal or you could be making use of our special offer.”
Police are also warning vehicle owners who let others drive their vehicles, if the driver does not have the correct documentation then both the owner and driver could be committing offences.
2/9/08
There will be high octane entertainment for all at the first ever Carmarthenshire Modified Car Show. Car enthusiasts are in for an action-packed day at Pembrey Race Circuit on Sunday, September 21.
The show, which is being organised by the Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership in association with Pembrey Circuit and G Tec Tuning, will showcase some of the top performance and modified cars around.
There will be thrills and spills galore with a test drifting event and sound off, with prizes up for grabs for the best cars in a number of exciting categories. Trade stands with parts and accessories as well as expert advice from industry specialists will be at the event.
Also attending is the Roads Policing Unit which will have a number of police cars and motorbikes on display a well as the Dyfed-Powys Police helicopter; Carmarthenshire County Council’s Road Safety Unit and Youth Service with lots of information and advice; and the Fire Service’s Community Safety Team with its car crash trailer.
The Community Safety Partnership will also be at the show offering information on road safety and drugs and alcohol as well as general community safety advice.
Community Safety Partnership manager Kate Thomas said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Pembrey Circuit and G Tec Tuning to be able to hold this event in Carmarthenshire.
“It is the first modified car show to be held in the county and we are very excited about it. The event is aimed at young drivers with modified cars and is being held in a bid to break down barriers, engage with young people and promote road safety.
“We are hoping to attract around 600 show cars to the event, there will also be a drifting demonstration, trade stands and a whole host of other attractions for a fun day out.”
Admission is free to the public. Show cars are £3 including passengers.
A donation will be made to the Wales Air Ambulance from any proceeds made.
For further information contact Community Safety Officer Gavin Lemon on 01554 742146.
21/8/08
North Wales Police Cadets have been getting into the driving seat and picking up some expert tips on road safety and driver awareness. For the past week and a half, 15 Cadets who all hold a full driving licence have been given a full day of one-to-one driver training by the expert instructors from the NWP Driving School.
"Enhancing the skills of the Cadets is the main aim of the course," said Jayne Clemson who is one of the driving instructors at the school. "Most of the Cadets have only been driving a very short time and we have used the sessions to teach them about extended observation, planning, hazard awareness and positioning on the road.
Jayne added: "All the Cadets have been quite impressed with the day and have been really positive. If they take away just a fraction of the knowledge given to them on the day then it is all worthwhile."
Elen Griffiths from Llanrwst is one of the many North Wales Police Cadets, having joined last June. She was the 10th Cadet to take up the wheel and felt that she was benefiting from the experience. Having checked the tyres, the water and oil levels in the car she would be driving she got behind the wheel for the first stage of the day.
"I'm enjoying the course so far and find that it's helping me to further improve my skills and road safety awareness," said Elen. "I passed my test my test at the start of the year and am looking forward to the rest of the day's tuition which will also involve driving the skid car."
The days have been organised by the driving school as a way of saying a big ‘thankyou' to the Cadets for all the free time they have given up over the past year helping out at various events and community initiatives. To date, the majority of the Cadets who were welcomed into the force last June have each completed over 100 hours of community work.
Terry Kellaher is the Partnership Superintendent for the Central Division. He said: "We are grateful for all the work the Cadets have undertaken in the division and I believe that this is a fantastic opportunity for the Cadets to enhance their skills. I would also like to thank the Driving School for giving their time and instruction."
View video
21/8/08
Youngsters from across Flintshire met at Mold Fire Station this week for the 'Motor Education Scheme Information Day'. The day, facilitated by agencies including North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, North Wales Police, The Welsh Ambulance Service and Flintshire Youth Justice Service, educated the group of 26 teenagers about the dangers involved in vehicle theft and anti social driving. The day was funded by North Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership, Arrive Alive.
Activities included a hardhitting presentation by North Wales Fire and Rescue Service's Impact Roadshow Team, which demonstrates how firefighters go to work to release casualties and fatalities from road traffic collisions and a visit from the young people's drug and alcohol bus. The youngsters also received talks from the emergency services on the potential consequences of being involved in a road accident or car crime.
Danny Patton, Community Safety Team Member and one of the organisers of the day, said: "North Wales Fire and Rescue Service are thrilled to be involved in this groundbreaking scheme.
"We are hoping that today will help these young people understand our life saving safety messages, and help to drive down the tragically high number of youngsters losing their lives in road traffic collisions."
Lesley Bayley, Operations Manager for Flintshire Youth Justice Service, added: "The evaluation of these days has proved very successful in reducing car related crime and driving in an anti social manner. We are proud to be taking part and educating the youngsters about the consequences their actions can have."
One of the youngsters said: "Today has really affected the way I think and has put me off drink driving for life. Its definitely also taught me never to get into a car with anybody I don't trust.
14/8/08
The Abertillery Neighbourhood Policing Team is checking the speeds of motorists travelling through the area, in response to residents concerns about the speed of vehicles on local roads.
Checks are being carried out with a portable speeding device, which highlights to motorists the speeds that they are travelling.
The results from the checks will be sent to the Safety Camera Partnership, who will then analyse the data before deciding if enforcement is required, subject to their criteria.
The team are concentrating on roads that have been identified as PACT (Partnerships and Communities Together) priority areas.
Neighbourhood Sergeant Steve Parsons, said:
"Speeding is a PACT priority in each of the four Abertillery wards, so it's clearly an issue that concerns residents in these areas. As a result, we are using the portable speeding devices to gather data about the speeds that vehicles are travelling through the PACT priority areas. This information will then be given to the Safety Camera Partnership to decide if enforcement is required.
We are also using the devices as an education tool, to highlight to motorists the speeds that they are travelling. Speed limits are in place for a reason, and it's essential that drivers stick to them to ensure the safety of motorists, passengers and pedestrians."
13/8/08
Conwy's Road Safety Unit is urging everyone with young children to check their child car seats and to keep safe on the roads this summer.
The Road Safety Team are out and about at local supermarkets and agricultural shows encouraging people to use their seatbelts and checking the safety of child car seats with the help of colleagues from Halfords.
Julie Birchall, Conwy Road Safety Unit said, "We have been finding a large number of child car seats are not fitted correctly, which is quite worrying. I'd urge everyone to get their child car seats checked just for peace of mind."
The next car seat check will take place at Tesco Car Park, Llandudno Junction on 19th and 20th August.
Further information on child car seat safety can be found by logging onto www.childcarseats.org.uk.
12/8/08
Recently, South Wales Police showed local youngsters the dangers of driving in wet and icy weather conditions. The young teenagers, from the Bridgend Youth Service, had the rare but exciting opportunity to go in a police car and be driven around the Skid Pan by one of South Wales Police’s experienced roads policing officers.
Situated at Police Headquarters, the Skid Pan is used to train traffic police officers to drive safely on wet and icy roads, which is often the cause of many fatal road traffic collisions on public roads.
Sgt Keith Carpenter, Roads Policing Officer, said,
“Last year, South Wales Police dealt with 47 fatal road traffic collisions. An alarming number of these involved young drivers. Contributory factors involved in these tragedies were the presence of drink or drugs, failing to wear a seat belt and using a mobile phone.
“Later this year, South Wales Police will be launching a seat belt campaign, which will specifically target the younger driver to remind them that seat belts save lives.
“We hope the young people from the Bridgend Youth Service will remember the lessons they learnt at the Skid Pan and become a safe and responsible driver when they pass their driving test.”
Owen Roberts of Bridgend Youth Service said,
“It was a fantastic opportunity for the young people involved to learn some valuable lessons with regards to the different situations you could face when driving. Even though there were serious lessons to be learnt, the young people had a great time with Sgt Carpenter and the demonstrations they experienced.”
“The young people involved were all part of the Big Lottery Funded, Changing Tracks Project which aims to work with young people aged 13-19 and address their barriers to education, training or employment and provide one-to-one support, information and advice.”
7/8/08
The latest National Statistics on ‘Road Casualties in Wales: Quarterly Provisional Estimates March Quarter 2008,’ produced by the Welsh Assembly Government, were published on 7 August 2008, according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority.
This is the first time the Welsh Assembly Government has published quarterly road casualties data.
Statistical Release 117/2008 PDF format 236kb 
The key points from this release are:
- 22 road casualties were reported as killed
- 295 were reported as seriously injured, and
- 2,286 as slightly injured
- The number of total KSI casualties over this period, at 1,412 people, was 2 per cent higher than the previous 12 month period and 30 per cent lower than the average for 1994-98.
- The number of child KSI casualties over this period, at 142 children, was 4 per cent lower than the previous 12 month period and 51 per cent lower than the average for 1994-98.
Contact:
Tel: 029 2082 5085
E-mail: stats.transport@wales.gsi.gov.uk
6/8/08
A student from St Cyres Comprehensive School in Penarth has been hailed as a true example to other teenagers after winning a competition set by Penarth Firefighters about the consequences of road traffic collisions.
Emily Gronow, aged 17, excelled in the road safety competition with her hard hitting film based on a poem written about a real life experience of losing a loved one in a road crash. Firefighters from Red Watch at Penarth Fire Station initiated the competition earlier in the year, setting youngsters the challenge of producing a piece of work that reflected the harsh reality of a road traffic collision and delivered a message which would help to reduce future collisions.
The video follows the story of a very sad personal loss during a car crash and Emily used her mum and friends as the main stars of the film. Now, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service will be making the video available to all its fire stations to drive home the message of road safety through the eyes of a teenager.
Station Manager at Penarth, John Davies said, “When we saw this video, we instantly knew it would deliver the message to other teenagers and prove useful across the Service. Other Fire Stations can use this to connect with teenagers about road safety. Emily put a huge amount of effort into this project and we appreciate her efforts.”
Firefighters attend thousands of road traffic collisions every year in South Wales, are often first on the scene and are wholly aware of the devastating consequences they can incur. The video produced by Emily will become part of the ongoing campaign to reduce road traffic collisions by making young people aware of the dangers and the simple safety measures they should take.
www.southwales-fire.gov.uk
6/8/08
Almost three quarters of car seats in Carmarthenshire are incorrectly fitted, according to safety checks.
Child car seats in vehicles across the county were inspected as part of an annual safety campaign.
Road safety and trading standards officers checked dozens of seats and found that 73 per cent were not properly installed.
The main problems were with seats being loosely fitted or incorrectly installed, and one seat was condemned.
A huge 43 per cent needed major adjustments and some 19 per cent were unsuitable for the cars.
Carmarthenshire County Council was behind the initiative, aimed at illustrating the risks to babies and small children if seats are not fitted properly.Roadshows were held at supermarkets in Carmarthen, Llanelli and Ammanford and parents were given expert advice and were warned about the dangers of using second hand car seats.
Road Safety Manager Keith Griffiths said: “It’s not just enough to own a car seat. Unless it is the correct model for your vehicle and child’s build, and is fitted correctly, it is useless.
“The safest way for young children to travel in cars is with child seats which are suitable for their weight and size.
“A properly fitted restraint dramatically reduces the likelihood of a child being killed or injured, even with an impact speed of just 30mph.
“It is important that consumers make sure they keep the instructions, and seats should be inspected before every journey to check for faults and loose fitting.
“It is clear from the survey that parents are not regularly checking their seats, and unfortunately, this can lead to tragic accidents.”
Every year in the UK around 100,000 children are involved in crashes and the fitting of their car seat can have a serious impact on whether or not they are injured.
Most children receive little more than a jolt or shock but around 10,000 are hurt while 500 are seriously injured and around 40 killed.
Experts say that car seats should be suitable for the child’s size and the vehicle concerned.
It is strongly recommended that child seats should only be purchased from reputable retailers.
Further information on child car seat safety can be found by logging onto www.childcarseats.org.uk.
4/8/08
A team from Tavernspite CP School has won the 2008 Pembrokeshire Junior Road Safety Officer Competition. The pupils beat off a strong challenge from runners-up Hakin Junior School, Johnston CP School, Lamphey Primary School and St Oswald’s VA School to win the final.
Organised by Pembrokeshire County Council's Road Safety Unit, the competition was held at the Pembrokeshire Activity Centre in Pembroke Dock on 16th July.
 |
The winners of the 2008 Pembrokeshire Junior Road Safety Officer Competition, Tavernspite CP School. They are pictured with Kirstie-Anne Donoghue, Road Safety Education Assistant Officer at Pembrokeshire County Council. |
Pupils had to undertake several tasks including a road sign challenge, road safety quiz and hazard awareness. The winning pupils were presented with certificates, a shield and vouchers.
The teams consisted of Junior Road Safety Officers from Pembrokeshire, who have highlighted the issue of road safety at their primary schools throughout the year.
Councillor Jamie Adams, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Highways and Planning, said the annual quiz had proved to be very successful and helped schools highlight the issue of road safety.
The schools which participated in the earlier stages of the competition were Angle VC School, Ysgol Ger Y Llan, Ysgol Gelli Aur/ Golden Grove, Ysgol Glannau Gwaun, Johnston CP School, Orielton CP School, Pembroke Dock CP School, Stepaside CP School, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, and Wolfscastle CP School.
4/8/08
 |
| 19-year-old Joe Bacchetta a University of Glamorgan journalism student from Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf is the first recipient of the Pass Plus Cymru quarterly prize. Joe’s name was drawn from a list of all participants who returned their evaluation form on completion of the course. His Pass Plus Cymru ADI was Simon Hughes of SMS, Aberdare. |
The Pass Plus Cymru (PPC) Scheme continues to be a nationally recognised badge of excellence amongst post test young driver training programmes in Wales and continues to grow as it enters its 3rd year. During the period December 2007 to May 2008, 1,424 drivers undertook the course. Since the launch of the scheme itself in June 2006 over 4,000 novice drivers have participated.
The scheme continues to be advertised in a number of different ways with direct marketing at the Royal Welsh, the Urdd Eisteddfod and various other county shows, the Wales GB rally, bus shelters, via local youth groups and through radio and websites, although the support of ADIs remains critical. Measurement of participant’s feedback will ensure that scheme continues to develop and improve.
Although PPC funding is available as a result of a special grant from the Welsh Assembly Government, individual local authorities are responsible for allocating funding to the scheme as finance allows. This differs from County to County as needs of other road user groups are taken into account. Individual numbers of participants within Counties during the period December 2007 to May 2008 are detailed in the following table:
| Anglesey |
42 |
Merthyr |
48 |
| Blaenau Gwent |
22 |
Monmouthshire |
15 |
| Bridgend |
65 |
Neath Port Talbot |
50 |
| Caerphilly |
35 |
Newport |
39 |
| Cardiff |
89 |
Pembrokeshire |
53 |
| Carmarthenshire |
38 |
Powys |
139 |
| Ceredigion |
43 |
Rhondda Cynon Taff |
81 |
| Conwy |
103 |
Swansea |
143 |
| Denbighshire |
61 |
Torfaen |
32 |
| Flint |
71 |
Vale of Glamorgan |
135 |
| Gwynedd |
50 |
Wrexham |
68 |
All Pass Plus Cymru information and booking procedures can be found at www.dragondriver.com
1/8/08
Young musicians from the Dyfed Powys Police region performed anti-drug drive songs at the Royal Welsh Show as part of the Music Challenge run through the Mid and West Wales Road Safety Group. We are very grateful to YFC personnel who supported the campaign and allowed the final to be held on their stage.
The Music Challenge final saw three bands perform their anti-drug drive song which was kindly sponsored by Chevron (Pembroke Refinery).
 |
Mint Tuneage |
The awareness raising event formed part of the All Wales summer anti drug drive awareness campaign and the competition was run through the road safety units of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys.
The winner of the music challenge was Mint Tuneage from Carmarthenshire with their song ‘Dark Days Night’.
They received £250 for the band and £250 and a trophy for Queen Elizabeth High School, Carmarthen, who they represented.
The runners up were Delayed Seed with their song ‘Is It Worth It?’ from Lampeter Secondary School, Ceredigion; they received £150 for the band and £150 for their school.
 |
Delayed Seed |
Third place went to Welsh Bombshell with their song ‘Keep Drugs Off The Road’, from Newtown Youth Group, Powys who received £100 for the band.
 |
Welsh Bombshell |
Tom van Hamer, who won the anti drink drive final at Police Headquarters in June also performed his winning song ‘On The Road’.
Road Safety Officer Susan Storch for Dyfed Powys Police said: “We would like to thank all the young people who took part in the competition and the schools and youth groups they represented. All three acts performed to a high standard and the judges had a very difficult job in deciding the winners.”
“The Music Challenge started in Gwent through Capita Symonds in 2006 and they are now in their third year. Following on from their success we started running this competition through the Mid and West Wales Road Safety group last autumn and we hope to see this as an All Wales initiative in the near future.”
“This is a novel way of engaging with young people and getting across the very serious message of anti drug driving and we will continue to work very closely with all our partners as we start to plan for our second year!”
1/8/08
A Thought-provoking short film aimed at young drivers in Carmarthenshire is now being taken to every secondary school in Wales. The DVD, called Wheels of Misfortune, was produced by the Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership in a bid to help save lives and reduce the number of accidents on our roads.
The film was made in partnership with Tinopolis TV, based in Llanelli, and Trinity College, Carmarthen.
It was shot in and around the Carmarthen area and students from Trinity College were responsible for developing the script and also featured as the main characters.
The DVD was launched at the Urdd Eistedffod in Carmarthen in May last year and has been well received.
It will now be shown to Key Stage 3 pupils in all of the county’s secondary schools as well as every secondary school in Wales via the Police Liaison Programme.
Partnership chairman Mark James said: “Road safety, and speeding in particular, is a major concern for local communities. Here in Carmarthenshire we have already exceeded national targets to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions. However, there are still too many road collisions and casualties on our roads, and there is still much to be done.
“Younger drivers are more likely to be involved in a road traffic collision and are therefore more at risk of being killed or seriously injured. This film highlights some of the causes and wide-ranging effects of road traffic collisions in an attempt to change the attitude and behaviour of current and future young drivers.
“We are pleased this film will now be shown to youngsters across Wales, we make no excuses for the horrific images and thought-provoking message delivered so professionally in the DVD by the students themselves. If the message gets home and saves just one life then the effort everyone has put into its making is more than worthwhile.”
The Community Safety Partnership aims to make the county a safer place to live, work and visit.
This project was initiated by the partnership’s Road Safety Action Group which includes representatives from the council’s Community Safety Team and Road Safety Unit, Dyfed-Powys Police, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Welsh Ambulance Service, and Safety Camera Partnership. The action group aims to reduce the number of casualties on the county’s roads.
30/7/08
Nearly sixty per cent of tyres checked by experts during a free public safety event were found to be dangerous or faulty in some way. What proved just as concerning for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council staff who carried out the tests were that the majority of visitors to the event were elderly or lone females – two of the most vulnerable groups of motorists.
Trading Standards Officers organised a tour of the county with a public information caravan, which stopped at Rhondda, Cynon and Taf earlier this month.
As well as offering essential information and advice, the officers also carried out tests on cars, focussing on four main safety areas:
1. The tread dept of each tyre
2. The air pressure in each tyre, measured against the manufacturer’s recommended figures
3. The presence of any uneven wear characteristics and
4. Any damage or deterioration.
Some 475 tyres were examined in total. Of these:
- 27 (six per cent) were found to have a tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, affecting the handling and braking standards of the vehicles.
- 17 (four per cent) were found to exhibit uneven wear characteristics, indicating a wheel alignment or suspension problem.
- 21 (four per cent) were deemed to have wear and tear on the side walls that could compromise the integrity of the tyre and pose a safety risk.
It was advised that all of the above 65 tyres be replaced as a matter of urgency.
A further 168 (35 per cent) of tyres tested were found to be seriously underflated compared to the recommended pressure for the model, which could have a serious impact on the braking and handling of the vehicle. A further 42 tyres were found to be over-inflated, which can cause the same safety issues.
All vehicles with over or under inflated tyres were returned to the correct tyre pressure by officers with a calibrated air compressor before the consumers left the event.
Cllr John David, Cabinet member for Communities, said: “These important events are part of the ongoing proactive work by Trading Standards officers to protect and educate the public.
“The results once again reinforced the findings of previous years, that there are major problems on many of the vehicles residents are using.
“Many of them expressed their surprise at the findings, but the simple solution is, tyres must be checked regularly as part as the ongoing maintenance of cars.”
25/7/08
The second Annual JRSO Get-Together for Vale of Glamorgan Primary Schools was recently held at the Memorial Hall & Theatre in Barry.
Some 56 children from 11 primary schools attended one of the biggest events in the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Road Safety Unit calendar. The Junior Road Safety Officers (JRSOs) from each participating school were joined by teachers & helpers for this special occasion to highlight road safety concerns outside their own schools and to suggest some possible solutions in tackling them, as well as celebrating the success of their achievements over the past year.
The day included each group of JRSOs making their own presentations to the audience, a visit from road safety mascot ‘Spike the Hedgehog’ and demonstrations by the crew from Barry Fire Station, who showed interested parties some of the equipment they used for rescuing people who were trapped in their vehicles after a road traffic accident as well as an actual crashed car scenario with dummies. Inspector Wayne Tucker from South Wales Police then led a question-and-answer session with the JRSOs commenting on how important their jobs in schools were. This was then followed by a well-earned buffet lunch, by way of thanks to everyone who contributed to the event and to road safety in the Vale of Glamorgan in general.
The Junior Road Safety Officer (JRSO) Scheme is run by the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Road Safety Team as part of a national scheme which empowers children to highlight road safety issues within their schools. This is achieved by them raising awareness amongst fellow pupils, teachers & their local community under the auspices of the Council’s Road Safety Officers.
Several older primary age children are chosen each year in each member school and are given a JRSO uniform of a cap, badge & hi-vis jacket, together with a folder full of ideas for running competitions and assemblies on a road safety theme in their own schools.
The JRSO Scheme started four years ago in Vale of Glamorgan primary schools with an initial 6 joining at first, rising to its present total of 25 schools. It is eventually hoped that all primary schools will have their own Junior Road Safety Officers.
Mr John Rogers, JRSO Scheme Organiser said,
‘Yet again the JRSO Get-Together was a huge success. I would like to thank everyone for contributing to such a worthwhile event, especially all at the Memorial Hall who stepped in to host the event at the last minute. The JRSOs were a credit to their schools and themselves and their energy and enthusiasm in spreading the word of road safety was simply amazing. We look forward to another successful year in 2008/9’.
If any primary school is interested in taking part in the Junior Road Safety Officer (JRSO) Scheme, please contact John Rogers on 01446 704773 or e-mail JDRogers@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
24/7/08
Aspiring young pop stars from Carmarthenshire have been hitting the road with their own anti drink and drug driving anthems.
 |
Drink and drug-drive anthem songsters in the front row are: Scott Samuel, Mint Tuneage, Tom Van Hamer; Georgie Tipping and Tristan Mudd, both Mint Tuneage. Back row are Tracey Lewis, Carmarthenshire council road safety events co-ordinator; Nicola Davies, assistant road safety officer and Keith Griffiths, road safety manager.
|
Singers and bands from across county took to the stage for an X-Factor style music contest tasked with coming up with educational songs to highlight the dangers of drink and drug drivers.
The winners of the challenge were Tom Van Hamer representing Streets Youth Project Amman Valley Comprehensive with the anti drink driving song and Mint Tuneage from Queen Elizabeth High with the anti drug driving song.
Both went on to represent Carmarthenshire in the Dyfed Powys Police area finals and both came first in their respective competitions at the Royal Welsh Show.
The council’s road safety manager Keith Griffiths said: “We are constantly looking at new ways of educating people about road safety issues, and this music challenge was an innovative way of engaging with young people.
“It encouraged them to think about the dangers of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs. We were very pleased with the response from schools and youth groups.
“It is greatly encouraging to see the winning candidates going on to spread their important message further afield.”
22/7/08
Flintshire County Council’s Road Safety Unit has launched the highly successful Junior Road Safety Officers scheme.
The initiative has been run in other parts of the country and is an effective way of promoting road safety. Four schools are already on board in Flintshire - Mynydd Isa Juniors, Ysgol Bryn Gwalia Mold, Ysgol Sychdyn and Ysgol Y From Holywell.
Junior Road Safety Officers help their local Road Safety Officer to promote road safety issues within the local community. Each primary school is encouraged to appoint two JRSOs from year 6.
The main aim of the scheme is to give children the opportunity to identify road safety problems within their own school area and helps them to pass important messages to their peers about keeping safe when they are out and about.
Schools who wish to take part in the scheme are required to nominate two pupils from year 6 to act as JRSOs. With assistance and guidance from Claire Parry Road Safety Assistant, Junior Road Safety Officers will promote different road safety topics such as be safe, be seen, cycle safety, in car safety, the Green Cross Code, parking outside schools, walking to school and many more. All Junior Road Safety Officers receive a starter pack which includes a handbook, information and advice to help them with their very important role.
The scheme is informative and fun and the benefits to the JRSOs and to other pupils far outweigh the time allocated to the scheme.
The current JRSOs have arranged competitions within their own schools to encourage all the pupils to think about Road Safety. Mynydd Isa Juniors ran a competition to design a parking ticket for illegal parking outside their school and to re-enforce the dangers of parking on zigzag markings; Ysgol Y Fron- Holywell arranged a poster competition emphasising Walking to School and what benefits this brings and Ysgol Sychdyn arranged a poster competition to design a road safety character, they also arranged a Walk to School event and are hoping to run a road safety quiz before the end of term. Ysgol Bryn Gwalia, Mold has organised three competitions- infants will look at safe places to play, year 3 and 4 will explore the Green Cross Code and year 5 and 6 will look at seatbelt wearing.
Flintshire County Council’s executive member for Environment, Councillor Tony Sharps, said: “The JRSOs have all worked extremely hard putting together their competitions, which have all proved to be a great success within the schools and the communities. Well done to all schools who are already taking part.”
18/7/08
Following the recent success of the All Wales Summer Anti Drink Drive campaign, the Welsh police forces are joining together for a campaign targeting drug drivers. Dyfed Powys Police are leading the All Wales Anti Drug Driving Awareness Campaign which will be launched at 11a.m on Monday the 21 July at the YFC stand in the Royal Welsh Show.
For the launch, a Music Challenge will take place aimed at young people aged from 14 to 26 years. The challenge involved getting a band/group together and producing a song about the issues and dangers of drug driving.
Each Local Authority from the Dyfed Powys region will have a band to represent their county at the final. The overall winner will be judged and announced on the day. The winner of the Summer Anti Drink Driving Launch will also be there to perform their winning song. 
Assistant Chief Constable of Dyfed Powys Police, Mr Nicholas Ingram said:
“The message that drinking and driving is illegal and will not be tolerated is well known and has been used for years - but it's vitally important for everyone to be aware that taking drugs and driving is also illegal and will not be tolerated. This is also a lethal combination - people who take drugs and drive run the risk of killing themselves and other innocent road users. By engaging with youngsters on this issue, and getting them to think of the dangers through a medium they enjoy - hopefully the message will stay with them for the rest of their lives.”
17/7/08
More than 75% of child car seats failed basic safety requirements during a recent Trading Standards exercise in Bridgend County Borough.
One forward-facing seat was even found to pose a potentially fatal risk as it was totally unsuitable for the child using it, who should have been in a rear-facing seat.
The annual free safety check was organised at the Waterton branch of Tesco by Trading Standards officers from Bridgend County Borough Council alongside road safety advisors and independent experts.
Says Lee Jones, Acting Head of Trading Standards: “Many of the 150 drivers who took up the offer of the free safety check were shocked at the results.
“You only have to crash at 30mph for an unrestrained child to be thrown forward with a force 30 to 60 times their own body weight. As well as hurting themselves, they could also seriously injure or even kill other passengers in the vehicle.
“Properly fitted child restraints keep children in their seats and prevent them from being thrown about inside or out of a vehicle. Impact force is also absorbed, giving a child a better survival rate.
“The safest way for children to travel in cars is in a child seat that is suitable for their weight and size.
“Although the 75% failure rate is disappointing, it highlights the need for further safety events to reinforce the message to drivers.”
16/7/08
Buses taking children to and from school in Swansea are to be fitted with CCTV following the announcement of funding from the Welsh Assembly to make school transport safer. Part of the funding is also likely to be used to produce a guide giving children advice on how to behave responsibly when travelling on buses.
In total, £626,000 has been awarded to the South West Wales Transport Consortium (SWWITCH) which includes Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.
Transport officials in Swansea Council say they have already developed a code of practice for school transport operators and want to add a more detailed guide for distribution to pupils who travel on buses.
Two dedicated officers have also been employed by the SWWITCH consortium to oversea the project and consult on plans with schools and transport operators across the region.
John Hague, Cabinet Member for the Environment in Swansea Council has welcomed the news of the funding. He said, "Our overall aim is to ensure standards of school travel in terms of safety and security are as high as possible. We have thousands of school children traveling by bus and we want to get them to their destination safely.
"This money will provide us and the other authorities with the opportunity to improve things further."
Cath Swain, Swansea Council's Team Leader for Passenger Transport, said, "We currently provide around 4,000 pupils in Swansea with transport to school along around 100 different routes. From time to time we receive reports of bad behaviour and previous discussions with transport operators and schools have highlighted the benefits of installing CCTV.
"The funding will give us the opportunity to look at these measures as well as publishing a code of practice for pupils that they can sign up to."
15/7/08
The three Fire and Rescue Services in Wales made their intention to drive down road traffic collision casualties very clear when they launched the all Wales Fire and Rescue Service Road Safety Strategy on Thursday 10 July.
The strategy is the first official and national pledge to the communities of Wales that Welsh Fire and Rescue Services will do all they can to help reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads in Wales.
Working in collaboration, South Wales, North Wales and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Services have spent the last year developing the strategy which is published this month.
All three Fire and Rescue Service’s Principal Fire Officers and Chairs of the Fire Authorities visited the World Rescue Wales event at Cardiff International Arena on Thursday to mark the launch. World Rescue Wales showcases the skills of Firefighters from all over the globe in extricating and rescuing casualties from crashed vehicles.
Chair of the All-Wales group, Assistant Chief Fire Officer Kevin Barry of South Wales said,
“Rescues at Road Traffic Collisions have become a huge part of our operational response in recent years and Firefighters see the harsh consequences of dangerous driving every day. We are already working closely with our partners involved in road safety education and this strategy will strengthen these partnerships, helping us to achieve a common goal.”
Chair of South Wales Fire Authority, Councillor Anthony Ernest said,
“This document represents a strong commitment from the Fire Authorities to the reduction in Road Traffic Collision casualties in Wales. We have long worked to the theory that prevention is better than the cure with fires, and in our duty as a primary rescuer at road traffic collisions, we want to work with the same concept for road safety. The all Wales approach gives consistency to the proactive the work we do.”
The Wales Fire and Rescue Service Strategy is designed to support both the national road safety strategy for Wales and the Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA) Road Safety Group Strategy.
Download the All Wales Fire and Rescue Service Road Safety Strategy here PDF format 1.15mb
14/7/08
More drivers than ever before have been breath tested during an All Wales summer anti drink drive campaign, but less than 5 per cent were found to be over the legal limit.
Over 12,000 drivers were breath tested by the four Welsh forces in the campaign which ran from June 1 to June 30. This compares to 7,970 in 2007.
Of these 4.2 per cent proved positive which compares to 5 per cent for the previous year.
The percentage of drivers giving a positive test after collisions was 6.5 per cent.
The number of under 25s breath tested was 3,635 with 353 positive, refused or failed to provide; which equates to 4.2 per cent.
In Dyfed Powys Police one of those arrested was just 15 and found to be over the legal limit.
Deputy Chief Constable of Dyfed Powys Police, Andy Edwards, said: “It is pleasing that the percentage of positive tests has fallen.
“What is concerning is the number of people found to be over the legal drink drive limit following collisions. This clearly demonstrates the serious risk they are putting themselves and others at.
“All the Welsh forces target drink driving throughout the year and our message is simple – if you drink don’t drive.”
14/7/08
A pair of budding young artists from Cymmer Infants School are slowing speeding traffic in their own community. The schoolchildren won first prize in a ‘Design a Sign’ competition as part of the Cymmer Safe Routes to School - 20mph ‘Gateway’ signing.
Children were given the task of designing a sign that would convey to drivers that they would be entering a 20mph zone and they would need to slow down. The signs had to be innovative, colourful and to include big bold letters.
The quality and quantity of entries was so great that it was decided to award prizes to two age categories in the school – for the nursery and infants departments.
The two winners were Ffion Romans from the reception class and Emily Vaughan from the Infants department. Both children received a £15 gift token and a framed copy of their own award-winning signs that will be placed on each side of Catherine Street. A copy was also presented to the school for display.
Second prizes of £10 tokens were presented to Rhys Yorath in the reception class and Jamie Jones in the infants while a third prize of £5 was also presented to reception class pupil Jade Williams and infants pupil Sophie Smallman.
The Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Customer Care Cllr Andrew Morgan was accompanied by ward member Cllr Margaret Tegg to present the awards.
Cllr Morgan said: “All of the designs we received for the competition were brilliant and it was a great way to introduce road safety to the children at Cymmer.
“It is vital that children and young people are made aware of road safety as soon as possible and innovative methods like this help to give the information and guidance needed to stay safe on the roads.”
“The fact that the signs have been designed by children themselves should also impress upon drivers the importance of driving safely near the school and within the legal speed limits”.
14/7/08
 |
| Dysynni area pupils learn about the rules of the road with Meinir Gwilym |
Gwynedd Council has staged a roadshow around Meirionnydd schools where primary pupils in Key Stage 1 learnt more about road safety.
As part of the roadshow, pupils had the opportunity to sing along with the popular singer Meinir Gwilym, whilst also learning about the rules of the road. The children also had the chance to meet Carys Ofalus (Careful Carys), Gwynedd Council's road safety character, and Carys the cat taught the children about safely crossing the road.
Claire Evans, Gwynedd Council Road Safety Officer said:
"Ensuring that Gwynedd's youngest pupils learn about road safety is vitally important, and we hope that by learning in a fun and different way as part of these roadshows mean that the children will remember the important lessons.
"We are delighted that Meinir Gwilym joined the roadshow and that the children had the chance to sing songs which remind them to wear a seatbelt in the car, and to take care when they're out cycling on the road. Learning simple rules like these can make a huge difference to the safety of children on the roads."
9/7/08
Over the course of a busy BikeSafe weekend, nine lady riders covered over 200 miles on a wide variety of road types and conditions (mostly wet and windy!)
The workshop, run by 5 Police advanced riders and two paramedics, provided a mix of theory and practical sessions and included on-road assessment rides, information videos, motorcycle related first aid and other relevant issues.
Designed to enhance the skills of all riders who have already passed their tests, BikeSafe workshops are particularly suitable for those that may be returning to biking after a period of absence and sports bike riders.
All the participants were very enthusiastic about their BikeSafe experience and said their riding would be much improved as a result.
Click here for remaining BikeSafe Cymru workshop dates.
9/7/08
'Out of the Blue' hosted by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service is taking place in Bute Park on 11th (schools only) and 12th July 2008 (open to public) and is completely FREE to attend!
Last summer, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service organised a similar and highly successful two day 'Rescue Cymru' community safety event at Cardiff Castle. This was an extremely well organised and enjoyable event, but don’t just take our word for it, have a look at what the many partners and some of the thousands of visitors had to say...
9/7/08
Supported by Chevron Texaco
The annual Welsh Road Safety Awards recognise the good road safety practice, innovative projects and personal contributions being undertaken in Wales. The Award Scheme publicises and raises awareness of the contributions towards road casualty reduction targets.
There are five award categories:
Community Award - Recognising the work of Voluntary Groups, Health Authorities and partnerships involved in road accident prevention.
Education Award - For staff and pupils/students who have undertaken innovative road safety projects and other road safety activity.
Individual Award - For anyone in Wales who has shown a sustained or unique contribution to road safety and accident prevention.
Commercial Award - For businesses and organisations in Wales who have supported and/or encouraged road safety promotion.
School Crossing Patrol Award - Recognising an individual school crossing patrol who has shown dedication and commitment to their position over a sustained period of time.
Nominations should be submitted on the following form, (accompanied by any relevant supporting material) no later than Friday 22 August 2008. The Award winners will be invited to receive their Award at the Road Safety Wales Conference dinner on Monday 29 September 2008 at the Future Inns, Cardiff. The Award winners in each category will receive £100 and a souvenir gift.
Click here for Nomination Form
2007 Road Safety Award Winners
7/7/08
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council has launched a Try Cycling to Work Programme for its employees. The Cycle Experience Company, with extensive experience in cycle training and promotional services was commissioned by the Road Safety section to support and help set up the programme and get people cycling, more safely, more often.
The Try Cycling to Work programme, led by Jill Harper, Road Safety Officer of the Authority's Road Safety Section, is part of Merthyr Tydfil CBC’s efforts to encourage healthier lifestyles. It aims to give those who sign up to the programme the opportunity to experience the health benefits, fun and time and money savings that can be achieved by cycling to work rather than by travel by car or public transport.
The programme asked employees to register for a four week period from June 4th – July 4th, and cycle to and from work as often as possible during this time. 28 employees signed up to take on the challenge and were provided with a quality bike, accessories, advice on route planning, cycle commuting and cycle security. They were also encouraged to use the bikes and equipment for leisure purposes.
At the end of the 4 weeks employees will be offered the chance to purchase the bike and/or the accessories normally at a minimum of 30% off the usual retail price. If they don’t wish to do so they simply return them on the final day. There is no cost to employees to take part. Each registered employee will be in with a chance of winning a bike at the end of the challenge after pre and post questionnaires have been completed.
4/7/08
The Annual Road Safety Illustrated Poem Competition was another resounding success for many young people from Gwent. The winners claimed their prizes at an evening event at County Hall Cwmbran on Tuesday 17th June.
A total of 527 poems were entered from junior and senior pupils across the Gwent region into this year’s Competition, which was run jointly by the Road Safety Team at Capita Symonds and Heddlu Gwent Police. The standard of entries was very high with some innovative ideas and high levels of thought, motivation and common sense.
The prizes and certificates were presented by Mike Tonge, Chief Constable of Heddlu Gwent Police, who was delighted to have his photograph taken afterwards with each of the children and their poems.
The highest number of senior entries came from Duffryn Comprehensive School, Newport and Vicky Carey, the English teacher collected their award from Mr Tonge. Vicky said:-
“We found the project to be of great interest across all the year groups that entered. The year 9 and 10 groups were very aware of the dangers and very sensible in their approach to the task. It was surprising how many features the pupils were able to recognise in relation to in car safety.”
Vicky continued, “However, many of our younger pupils did tend to focus on the main features they see on TV – driving too fast, drink driving, etc. It would be nice if there was greater awareness made of the distractions that can occur in the car – talking to the driver, asking them to look at something other than the road, music blasting, eating and drinking at the wheel, mobile phones, etc. The teachers involved in this competition often had to point out these obvious factors that impact on driving and in car safety. It is unfortunate that advertisements and publicity tend to focus on accidents and car crashes than the factors that actually cause the incidents.”
Junior
Gweniver Exton, Osbaston CIW School
Daisy Legdon, St James Primary
: Bethan Williams, St James Primary
Best School: Gilfach Fargoed Primary
Senior
Fern Price Heolddu Comprehensive
Sarah Price Monmouth Comprehensive
Jessica Broom Heolddu Comprehensive
Best School: Duffryn School
3/7/08
The annual Road Safety Quiz organised by Neath Port Talbot's Road Safety Unit with South Wales Police and hosted by the Apollo Cinema at Port Talbot was the biggest ever.
Pictured with winners Crynallt Junior School are l-r Sergeant Ioan Howell, Head of Highways Neath Port Talbot Council John Flower, Manager Apollo Cinema Tim Morgan and council officer Helen Griffiths
In its 11th year thirteen primary schools had battled through to the final stages and the event was attended by almost 50 schools from across the county borough.And after five rounds of tense questioning there were three schools just one point apart at the top of the league table.
The eventual winner was Crynallt Junior School of Cimla with 90 points and Sandfields and Cwmavon just one point behind as runners-up.
All the teams received individual plaques to commemorate their achievements whilst Crynallt Junior School had the pleasure of taking the School's winning trophy back to their school for another year. Every pupil who entered the competition received individual certificates.
The competition was split into four rounds on road safety and one on general knowledge and while the scores were being verified the pupils enjoyed popcorn and drinks and a preview of some of this years new releases.
Cabinet Board Member for Streetcare and Highway Services Councillor Arwel Woolcock said: "We are delighted by the support from our teaching staff for this important initiative.
"The enthusiasm of the children and the knowledge gained in Road Safety is an important lesson that will stay with them for life. My congratulations to Crynallt Junior School, Cwmafan Junior and Sandfields Primary School as well as all the other competitors who took part.
"The 2008 Quiz was an extremely enjoyable and beneficial event for all. I would also like to convey my thanks to the Apollo Cinema for donating the use of their cinema and South Wales Police for their continued support."
2/7/08
 |
| Actress Manon Ellis with the pupils of Ysgol Glan Cegin, Bangor as they learn about road safety |
Keeping to simple but important rules - that was the message recently shared with the pupils of Ysgol Glan Cegin, Bangor as they received road safety certificates as part of the Kerbcraft scheme.
As they completed part of the Kerbcraft road safety course with the support of Gwynedd Council's Road Safety Unit, Ysgol Glan Cegin pupils were paid a visit by actress Manon Ellis who plays Michelle in the popular Welsh TV show, "Rownd a Rownd".
After going out and about with the pupils, Manon Ellis presented the children with their well deserved certificates. As part of the Kerbcraft scheme, the children have gained understanding and knowledge by going out in the local area to learn how to stay safe on the side of the road, and the certificates acknowledge their hard work.
The Kerbcraft Scheme teaches children between 5 - 7 to walk along the road safely by taking them out to the side of the road and show them that making the right decisions and acting appropriately can help them keep safe. The children are taken out of the schools in groups of no more than three by specially trained volunteers.
As part of the lessons, children:
The children are helped to identify dangers and find safer places to cross.
The children are taught to use a safe strategy to cross near parked cars - if the situations are unavoidable.
Children are introduced to the problems near simple and more complicated junctions, and they are taught a strategy to look systematically to all directions.
Find out more...
2/7/08
Lives of young drivers are being put at risk by dealers selling unroadworthy, second-hand cars, Powys County Council has warned.
The council’s Trading Standards Service is highlighting work by their national colleagues involving a test purchase exercise which revealed five out of eight second-hand cars bought during a recent undercover operation were not safe to be driven.
Clive Jones, the council’s Principal Trading Standards Officer, said: “Defects found by this work were shocking – the cars were unsafe to use and had no place on a road, so no place on a trader’s forecourt.
“It’s a serious offence to sell or to offer for sale a vehicle that doesn’t comply with the laws that govern the construction and use of motor vehicles. There is no element of ‘buyer beware’ and in no circumstance is ignorance of the law an excuse.
“No matter what you pay for a vehicle, you’re entitled to expect that it is safe, roadworthy and complies with the law. Test purchasing exercises such as this one are vital to protect the consumer against buying dangerous vehicles.
“The poor condition of vehicles is a common contributory factor in road traffic accidents and this new survey shows that there are a lot of death-trap vehicles on the market. For every accident we can prevent by urging drivers to get cars checked before they buy, the better. We urge all young motorists to get a car checked by an independent engineer before buying it or insist on a full MOT before purchasing it.
“Consumers should buy from legitimate businesses that will have inspected the vehicles before putting them on sale - people should be advised that they are taking a greater risk when they buy cars from the roadside.
”The best advice we can give is always insist on a full, new MOT certificate as this gives basic safety protection and an indication of engine function. If motorists find any problems with a vehicle they have just purchased, they should contact Consumer Direct.”
Call Consumer Direct telephone 08454 04 05 06 or 08454 04 05 05 for their Welsh-speaking services or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
2/7/08
An electronic facility has been set up to petition the Prime Minister to consider a change to the current system of British Summer Time, in support of RoSPA's campaign to reduce accidents:
petitions.pm.gov.uk/betteruseofsun/.
Join us in our campaign to reduce road deaths.
2/7/08
Cyclists will be getting a helping hand to make sure their thirsts are quenched on this year's Gower Bike Ride.
