Road Safety Wales Awards
The Road Safety Wales Awards recognise individuals, groups and organisations that have made a real commitment to road safety, above and beyond what would normally be expected of them.
Each year, road safety professionals from across Wales have the opportunity to nominate deserving people to receive an award; those that have demonstrated excellent road safety practice, created innovative projects or made a personal contribution to keeping other people safe on the roads.
Sue Storch, Vice-Chair of Road Safety Wales said: "Even with the enormous challenges we have all faced over the past two years, it hasn't stopped people from going above and beyond to help others in their community.
"These people often have other work commitments, but they have still taken the time and effort to assist with making Welsh roads a safer place for everyone. To show our appreciation, Road Safety Wales is delighted to be able to present five worthy winners with a Road Safety Wales Award along with a cheque for £100.”
The award recipients are:
Carol Evans
Carol Evans has recently hung up her jacket and patrol sign for the final time, retiring after an amazing 35-year career as School Crossing Patrol Officer at Pontrhondda Primary School. Mrs Evans has helped generations of children safely across the road to and from school each day, in all kinds of weather.
Councillor Joy Rosser, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Cabinet Member for Education and Inclusion Services, said: “On today’s busy roads, it takes special qualities to step out and stop traffic calmly, at the same time keeping the attention of the children until they have crossed the road safely, whatever the weather. We wish Carol Evans a very happy, healthy and well-deserved retirement.”
Pass Wide and Slow, Vale of Glamorgan
Becci Cleary was instrumental in organising a riding event around Dinas Powys village, to raise awareness and educate drivers on how to pass horses safely on the roads and have another even planned for September 2022.
The British Horse Society has highlighted that between February 2020 and February 2021, there were 1,010 road incidents involving horses reported to the organisation across the UK. Of these, 46 horses have died, 118 have been injured and there were 130 people injured due to road incidents. With recent changes to The Highway Code advising drivers to reduce their speed to a maximum of 10mph when they encounter a horse and rider, along with additional wording on allowing at least 2 metres of space when overtaking, making drivers aware of how to deal with horses using the road is essential.
As part of local newspaper article, Becci pointed out that when riding with their horses, they are not there to cause a nuisance on the road. They are polite and gracious towards drivers, will pull out of the way when safe to do so and thank all drivers as they pass.
Christopher Monelle
After an extraordinary couple of years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and having to change the operation of the School Crossing Patrol service to maintain the safety of everyone, Mr Monelle has gone above and beyond with his commitment to turning up at his crossing point with a smile on his face in all weathers to make sure the children are crossed safely to school.
Mr Monelle, at the grand age of 81 years old has now hung up his bright yellow florescent jacket and his STOP sign for the last time to enjoy his well-deserved retirement. He has been an employee of Newport City Council for the last 16 years which makes him one of the longest serving School Crossing Patrols.
He has performed his role with great passion, diligence and without complaint, enhancing the safety of generations of children attending St Gabriel’s RC Primary School - including the grandchildren of those he assisted at the beginning of his School Crossing Patrol career!
Mark Jempson
Since qualifying as an Approved Driving Instructor in 2012, Mark has been a huge asset to Pembrokeshire County Council’s road safety team.
Kirstie-Anne Donoghue, Road Safety Officer, said: “Finding Mark has been fantastic for Pembrokeshire’s Road Safety Team and the wider driving community in Pembrokeshire. He has such a vast range of driving awareness and knowledge and helps us in so many different interventions. Mark is a huge asset and a very valued road safety partner.”
Over the last decade, Mark has been heavily involved in many road safety interventions in Pembrokeshire such as the Mature Driver Scheme and Young Driver Programme.
Lisa Brock
This year, Lisa Brock will celebrate 25 years as a much-loved and dedicated School Crossing Patrol in the rural village of Llangwm, Pembrokeshire. During her time on patrol, Lisa has crossed generations of children and thinks of them all with great affection and warmth.
Head Teacher, Rhys Buckley, said: "For everything she has done for our community over the past twenty-five years and for everything she continues to do, she thoroughly deserves this recognition and should feel very proud of her achievement. Every community needs a ‘Mrs Brock’ and we’re very grateful that she’s ours!”
Local parent, Claire Thomas added: "Mrs Brock is always smiling, whatever the weather, and she is so kind to the children. My daughter has nothing but lovely things to say about her and I feel completely relaxed knowing she’ll be well looked after when she crosses the main road on her way to school.”
Congratulations to each of our Road Safety Wales Award winners!