Drivers urged to slow down this Global Road Safety Week

This week, 8th – 14th 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 24th 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 Valley Police (TVP) welcomes the focus on the dangers of speeding and expressed TVP’s support for Global Road Safety Week, adding ‘excessive and inappropriate speed is a recognised factor in over 20% of fatal collisions within our community and an issue we are committed to reducing through our strategy of rigorous enforcement and education.’

Mark Shaw, County Councillor for Chesham and Cabinet Member for Transportation in Buckinghamshire, echoes TVP’s support for clamping down on speed, particularly the focus on educating drivers:  ‘Speeding remains a significant risk on our roads, despite the deterrents and potentially devastating effects on our community.  Transport for Buckinghamshire works hard all year round on educational events and training.  We will soon be promoting digital campaigns through our driver safety initiative ‘Travel Safe Bucks’, which launches this week and aims to raise awareness among drivers about the dangers of exceeding the speed limit.’

To learn more about Global Road Safety Week visit the World Health Organisation’s webpage and for more information on Travel Safe Bucks campaigns and events, you can also sign up to receive Travel Safe Bucks’ email news, here.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Storm Freya to cause difficult driving conditions

Image
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for strong winds affecting Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire this weekend, from late Sunday 3rd to Monday 4th March. We often think of severe driving conditions being down to ice and snow, but strong winds can cause some of the most treacherous conditions on the roads. Travel Safe Bucks has put together some advice below for drivers about what to expect and how to react if you get caught in strong winds What to expect: Exposed stretches of road and bridges are often the most at risk areas, but sudden gusts when passing tall buildings or high-sided vehicles can also catch drivers off guard in built up areas Trees or debris in the road – the AA recommends keeping an eye out for twigs on the road , which could mean a tree has come down further along Standing water, which can cause aquaplaning Some road or bridge closures. Stay away from high sided vehicles in windy weather Advice for road users in windy weather:...
Read more

A mocktail will leave you hangover-free as well as safe on the roads

Image
If you are driving, it’s best not to drink at all – it takes a lot longer than most people think for alcohol to pass through the body . On average it takes about one hour per unit of alcohol, but this can vary depending on a number of factors including weight, age, gender, and medications. That's why we've put together some lovely mocktail recipes to make at your BBQs, summer get-togethers, picnics, and World Cup viewing parties. There's no reason to miss out on delicious refreshment just because you're the designated driver... If you'd like to share these recipes at your workplace, organisation, or parish, there is a PDF of the recipes cards free to download and print on the county council website, here. NEW! Zesty Pi-NO Colada Ingredients for 2 servings: 70-100g pineapple, puréed 300ml Coconut water Juice of half a lemon Pineapple to garnish Adding lemon to this rum-free take on a classic cocktail gives it a little zing! Purée the pineapple ...
Read more

Biker regains confidence after crash

Image
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...
Read more