15/07/2020
The Welsh Government has confirmed driving lessons will be able to take place in Wales from 27 July.
Theory tests will restart on Monday 3 August, along with vocational, motorcycle, car and trailer tests, and tractor driving tests.
Car driving tests will start from Monday 17 August, as well as the restarting of driving instructor testing and standards checks.
13/07/2020
First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford has announced that face coverings are to be made mandatory on public transport in Wales from Monday, 27 July.
At the Welsh Government’s daily coronavirus briefing, Mark Drakeford said, "For the sake of simplicity and consistency, as well as being part of our plan to help reduce the risk of transmission while on public transport where it is not always possible to maintain a two metre physical distance, it will become mandatory for people to wear a three-layer face covering while travelling - this includes taxis.
"Our decision to make face coverings mandatory on public transport is a combination of the fact that we know as the economy gets back into operation more people will need to use public transport to go to work and for other purposes, and when more people need to use confined spaces then additional protections need to be introduced in order to overcome the fact that two-metre social distancing will not always be possible."
10/07/2020
Now that the Welsh population is permitted to travel further afield that 5 miles from home, this weekend, many motorcyclists will undoubtedly be looking forward to their first significant ride for months.
As well as the usual safety precautions to avoid collisions and breakdowns, a new blog from Wales By Bike has highlighted some extra issues to consider to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Ways to keep yourself safe:
09/07/2020
A new scheme to remind drivers of the minimum space needed to ensure safety when passing a cyclist has been launched by Gwynedd Council. The first of their kind in the UK, the road signs installed along popular routes in Snowdonia are urging motorists to give cyclists 1.5 metres.
As part of a trial, the Council has received Welsh Government support to install the signage at locations along roads popular with cyclists in the northern part of the county.
Councillor Gareth Griffith, Gwynedd Council Cabinet Member for the Environment, said, “More people have made the most of the quieter roads during lockdown, but with traffic slowly increasing, Gwynedd Council is eager to ensure that cyclists continue get the respect and space they deserve on our roads.
06/07/2020
From today, the requirement to stay local has been lifted, enabling people to travel in Wales and into Wales
First Minister Mark Drakeford said, "We live in such a beautiful part of the world and I know many of us are looking forward to visiting beaches, the countryside and our many beauty spots.
"People throughout Wales have done so much over the last few months to follow the rules and help reduce the spread of coronavirus – I thank them for their patience and understanding. I ask them to continue in this spirit.
03/07/2020
With the lifting of the 5 mile rule in Wales on Monday 6th July, motorcyclists are just about ready to start enjoying the freedom that motorcycling gives.
Wales holds a major attraction for bikers due to the uniquely challenging roads and breathtaking scenery. While the vast majority of motorcyclists show an excellent standard of riding, a small minority choose to use the roads as a racetrack, putting themselves and other road users in unnecessary danger and greatly increasing the risk of a collision. Police forces across Wales will continue to target these individuals in the coming months, giving the clear message that poor and anti-social riding behaviour will not be tolerated.
Teresa Ciano, Chair of Road Safety Wales said, “Roads in Wales are among the safest in the world, however, partners in Road Safety Wales continue to strive for improvements, and reducing the number of motorcyclist casualties remains a priority.
01/07/2020
A series of new traffic schemes have been put in place across Cardiff at 27 sites, to ensure children and families can maintain social distancing safely and be supported to use active travel.
Other measures will include the widening of pavements and pathways and the introduction of temporary 20mph limits on roads at some school sites.
Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry said, "A great deal of work has been undertaken with schools so that they can operate in physically distanced environments. These new traffic measures will allow children and families to arrive and depart from school safely, in addition to the physical distancing measures that will be in place during the school day.
29/06/2020
Mandatory MOT testing is to be reintroduced from 1 August 2020 as COVID-19 restrictions are slowly lifted, Roads Minister Baroness Vere has announced.
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, drivers were granted a 6-month exemption from MOT testing in March to help slow the spread of the virus. However, as restrictions are eased when safe to do so, all drivers whose car, motorcycle or van is due for an MOT test from 1 August will be required to get a test certificate to continue driving their vehicle.
MOT tests are important for road safety and ensure that vehicle parts, including tyres, seatbelts, brakes, lights and exhausts, are in proper working order.
26/06/2020
With the wider return to school in Wales from Monday 29 June, some School Crossing Patrols will be back in operation, helping to ensure the safety of children, parents and carers as they walk to school.
The way the service operates will have changed to enable social distancing to keep everyone safe.
Enjoy the walk to school and stay safe.
22/06/2020
Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport has announced funding of £15.4m to local authorities to introduce measures to improve the safety and conditions for sustainable and active travel modes in their area in response to the Covid-19 crisis and to achieve sustained changes in travel behaviour in the future:
"The Welsh Government received a total of 209 proposals for measures from all local authorities in response to the invitation for expressions of interest. This clearly demonstrates the need, and willingness of local authorities, to introduce measures to protect public health and safety and to enable people to choose the healthiest and most sustainable transport modes for shorter journeys now and in the future. During the lockdown period there were large increases in walking and cycling among individuals and families, both for exercise and to make necessary journeys. We now need to act to maintain these healthy and climate friendly travel behaviours and prevent a return to heavily car-dependent travel choices.
"Among the diverse measures planned at the local level, I have asked local authorities to clearly prioritise delivery of those schemes which can be completed within the next three to four months and have the greatest impact in their local area.