Travel Safe Bucks

Today, Thursday 21 st September, marks the second annual Project EDWARD, an initiative that aims to see one day in Europe with no road deaths (EDWARD stands for European Day Without A Road Death) “Drivers are unwittingly or sometimes knowingly putting other road users in so many ways, perhaps by speeding, drink-driving, not wearing a seat belt, using the phone while driving, using vehicles they have not kept roadworthy, parking their cars on bicycle lanes, blocking pedestrian crossings, not turning on their lights or engaging in risky manoeuvres. In the days leading up to the Project EDWARD day, we want all road users to think – even for a few short minutes – about the risks they face, the risks they may pose to others and how they can go about reducing those risks.” - from TISPOL What we’re doing: Travel Safe Bucks supports TISPOL’s work today, and all year round by promoting road safety campaigns and offering training and workshops to all road users, from the newest o...

After a break of 30 years Franco Amaro decided to take up biking again, and was enjoying riding socially having regained his licence with no difficulty in May 2016. However, while out riding in Essex in July, Franco took a corner on the B1053 too quickly, ran wide, and clipped the kerb, flipping his bike over. Despite the terrifying crash, he thankfully only sustained minor injuries to his wrist, but his bike was badly damaged and he lost all confidence in bends. Damage to Franco's bike after his crash Franco's injured wrist required months of physiotherapy Franco and his fellow riders after the accident After a few months of physiotherapy and repairs to his bike, Franco was determined to regain his love of riding and joined Thames Vale Advanced Motorists (TVAM) in September last year to do the Advanced Riding Course. ‘I’m so glad I joined TVAM after my accident’, Franco said. ‘I am a lot more confident now, particularly with bends, and I think I am r...

It’s hard to imagine now, as we bask in sunshine, but the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain in the South East this Bank Holiday weekend. But before you abandon your BBQ plans, rest assured that the rain isn’t supposed to arrive until late Sunday evening, lasting through to Monday morning in several parts of the county.  Aside from its ruinous effect on our Bank Holiday plans, heavy rain is also perilous to drivers. According to Highways England, 2,918 people were killed or seriously injured driving in the rain in 2015. If you have to make a journey in heavy rain you should adjust your driving to the conditions of the road. Think Slow, Stop, See when driving in the rain: SLOW: slow down through heavy rain or on wet roads STOP: stopping distances will be affected by wet roads. Keep your speed low, and leave more space between you and the car in front. SEE: use dipped headlights even during daylight to ensure you can see and be seen For more detai...

This week, 8 th – 14 th May, is the UN 2017 Global Road Safety Week , which aims to raise awareness about the dangers of speed and improve education for all drivers.   This campaign comes just weeks after a change in the law which will see ‘excessive speeders’ handed much harsher penalties. As of 24 th April, drivers caught exceeding, for example, 41 in a 20mph zone, 51 in a 30mph zone, or 101 in a 70mph zone will now face six penalty points, a fine equalling 150% of weekly income, and a potential ban of up to 56 days. Speed is a contributory factor in more than 20% of fatal collisions across the Thames Valley – this figure includes not only drivers who exceed the speed limit, but those who drive too fast for the conditions. In fact, driver error in general – such as impairment from alcohol or drugs, failure to wear a seatbelt, and distraction – contributes to around 68% of fatal road crashes nationwide . Chris Appleby, Casualty Reduction Sergeant for Thames Vall...