Malcolm Stephenson DSA ADI

MOTORISTS are being urged to check their eyesight ahead of Road Safety Week (November 23 to 29).

A report by Specsavers has revealed that upto 60 per cent of road users  are driving with substandard eyesight.

The statistics have been released to coincide with figures from the Department for Transport, showing that, as the winter nights draw in, “64,000 more accidents occurred on Britain’s roads in hours of darkness, with road related fatalities rising by more than 50 per cent”.

Ask: Mal Stephenson of A19fleet.co.uk

SCHOOLCHILDREN will have their road safety knowledge tested this week in what organisers are saying could be a life-saving quiz.

As part of the National Road Safety week, Swindon fleet management company Arval is hosting a quiz open to all Year 11 pupils in the town on Thursday in a bid to arm them with the crucial information they need.

Tracey Young, the fleet and road safety manager at the company, based on the Windmill Hill Business Park,said: “The death of anyone on the roads is tragic and young drivers are the most at risk.

“We want to ensure that local pupils recognise the dangers that they will face and are equipped to deal with them.

“A number of local schools participated in the quiz last year and we have had some fantastic feedback from them.

“This year we would love to have every local secondary school represented and benefiting from the important messages that this quiz brings.”

The quiz will take a sobering look at road safety statistics and will illustrate the importance of keeping safe as pedestrians, cyclists and future drivers.

Wroughton’s Ridgeway School is the current champion of the event and organisers are keen to see if any other schools can step up to the challenge.

The event is supported by road safety charity Brake, which offers support to families who have lost loved ones in road traffic accidents.

A spokesman for the charity said: “Every day nine people are killed and nearly ten times as many are seriously injured on the UK’s road network.

“That’s why events like this are so important.

“Road Safety Week is about providing practical information and raising awareness while at the same time having some fun.

“We have worked in partnership with Arval for some time now and are delighted with their contribution to our campaign.”

The quiz is co-organised by the Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service who will be on hand to answer any questions the pupils have about road safety.

Last year’s contestants, Ridgeway pupils Sophie Farr and Tori Gagan, said they were pleased road safety programmes existed.

“I like the idea that we’re learning the fundamentals of road safety before we even get behind the wheel of a car,” said Sophie, 15.

“It helps us to be more confident in our abilities with this extra training.”

Tori, 16, said: “It’s only a matter of time before we start driving lessons and learning about road safety will potentially save lives.”

Along with the Arval road safety winners shield, the quiz champions will win a host of prizes, including the chance to become firefighters for the day.

The quiz starts at 11am and finishes at 1.15pm and takes place at Arval Centre, Windmill Hill Business Park.

For more information about the quiz email Arval at tracey. young@arval.co.uk.