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.

Fleets are being advised to ensure they have the right policies in place to protect themselves and their drivers against drug driving in the wake of a Government campaign.

Drug driving warning for fleets | Fleet News

Would this happen here in the North East?  “You can Bet yea Boots”

Dorset drivers caught up in safety check Vortex

Tuesday 18th August 2009

By Julie Magee »

MORE than 100 drivers were issued with fixed penalty tickets in just three days following road safety checks across Dorset.

During Operation Vortex dedicated teams of traffic officers used marked and unmarked cars as well as motorcycles to patrol the county’s roads.

The operation was part of a concerted campaign in the South West to promote road safety and tackle motorists who flout road traffic laws.

The figures are released as Britain’s magistrates said police could not be “relied on” to hand out £60 fixed penalty fines for careless driving because it was a “certainty” that officers would misuse their powers.

Between August 11 and August 13 a total of 134 fixed penalty tickets were issued in Dorset including 55 motorists detected for failing to wear a seat belt and 45 motorists found to be using their mobile phone while at the wheel. Other tickets were issued for a range of motoring offences including speeding and driving without insurance or a valid MOT.

Chief Inspector Bob Nichols said: “The number of drivers caught in just three days is alarming and what is especially worrying is the number of motorists using a mobile when driving or not wearing a seat belt. Even careful drivers can be distracted by a call or text message.

“Offences such as not wearing a seat belt and using a mobile phone while driving can have devastating consequences; at the very least a £60 fine as well as three penalty points for mobile phone offences. I’d urge people to consider whether it’s really worth it.

“We need the support and co-operation of all motorists to help to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads.”

The Magistrates Association this week issued its comments in response to the government’s plans to allow police to issue £60 fixed penalties for careless driving.

Dorset Police said they were in agreement with the comments of Mick Giannasi, Chief Constable of Gwent Police and ACPO lead on Roads Policing.

He said they broadly supported the proposed option of fixed penalty notices for careless driving offences but that education was the key and driver improvement schemes would be used as an alternative to fines and penalty points

Dorset drivers caught up in safety check Vortex (From Bournemouth Echo)

A shocking video has been made for pupils in an attempt to stop car crashes caused by the driver texting while driving.

The film shows how a brief lapse in concentration can have devastating consequences

BBC NEWS | Wales | Text drive film to ’shock’ pupils

Company Car Driver Road tests

BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Formula 1 | Schumacher’s career in photos

FAB…Game ON!

Schumacher makes shock F1 return

BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Formula 1 | Schumacher makes shock F1 return

Formula One at Silverstone is not over: fans who want to relive the spirit of original grand prix racing can look forward to original F1 cars from the golden era of the ‘60s and ‘70s, and historic Grand Prix cars from the ‘50s and early ‘60s, all competing at the Silverstone Classic weekend starting today until Sunday.