Tag Archives: Road safety

Look and listen when you walk and talk

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The green cross code appears to have been rewritten as more as more pedestrians seem to stop, change a track, and make a phone call, than stop, look, and listen when crossing the road.

Using MP3 players, mobile phones and similar devices when walking near roads is a major distraction for pedestrians so a new road safety poster campaign has been launched to remind people to avoid danger by giving traffic their full concentration.

In 2011, 33 pedestrians were killed or seriously injured in road accidents in Warwickshire and a further 122 suffered slight injuries. It’s unclear how many of these deaths and injuries were the result of pedestrian distraction, but road safety professionals are concerned that this plays a part.

The campaign to reduce distraction is running across Warwickshire and West Mercia. It urges pedestrians to ‘stay alert to traffic’ and to avoid using phones or other similar devices when crossing the road or walking near traffic.

Traffic is the biggest cause of accidental death of 12 to 16 year olds so campaign posters will be distributed to secondary schools across Warwickshire over the coming weeks to warn young people of the potential dangers. Parents are also being asked to support the campaign by talking to their children about the dangers of not paying attention to traffic.

Warwickshire County Councillor Richard Hobbs, portfolio holder for community protection said: “The immense popularity of mobile phones and other portable devices presents a major risk to pedestrian safety. It’s not uncommon to see pedestrians so completely absorbed in their phones that they are entirely oblivious to where they are and what’s going on around them.

People are increasingly using mobile phones on the move to perform complex tasks that demand a huge amount of attention, such as texting, accessing emails and the internet, updating social media or making use of apps. If you are focused on texting or selecting a play list you can’t be fully aware of traffic. It’s a recipe for disaster.”

Warwickshire Police Head of Incident Resolution, Superintendent Adrian McGee added: “This may appear to be a trivial issue to some but the risks are clear. It is all too easy for an inattentive pedestrian using a mobile phone to take a quick glance before stepping off the kerb to cross when they should take the time to look both ways properly. This makes it easy to miss an approaching vehicle.

“Similarly a pedestrian listening to music impairs their ability to hear approaching traffic. Pedestrians need to be aware of the risks they are unknowingly taking and ask themselves how important is that text , everyone needs to take more responsibility for their personal safety.”

Is your child safe in your car?

Following shocking news that approximately four out of five Warwickshire children aren’t correctly restrained when travelling by car, Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire Police are working together to help parents and carers get it right.

The worrying problem was unearthed during child car seat safety checks conducted last September at venues around the county.

Problems varied from children being secured with an adult seatbelt so that the seatbelt cut across the child’s neck, seats that were incorrectly fitted, damaged or incompatible with the vehicle model, and children being transported in the wrong seat for their age and size including an eleven month old baby that was in a seat designed for a four year old. During the checks seven child car seats were condemned for being too old or damaged.

The public are invited to attend a new round of child seat advice clinics taking place next week where they will be able to get expert help and advice to ensure they are transporting their children safely. The child seat safety checks take place between 9am and 3.30pm at:

  • Monday 19th March – Asda, Corporation Street, Rugby
  • Wednesday 21st March – Morrisons, Alcester Road, Stratford Upon Avon
  • Thursday 22nd March – J Sainsbury’s, The Shires Retail Park, Tachbrook Road, Leamington Spa
  • Friday 23rd March – Tesco Extra, Leicester Road, Bedworth

Useful ‘seat selecta’s’ that provide guidance on selecting the right seat are available free of charge from the County Council by calling 01926 418062 or emailing roadsafety@warwickshire.gov.uk.

Warwickshire County Council’s Road Safety Officer Jane Lees said: “In recent years I’ve seen some incredible sights where parents have jeopardised their children’s safety. In one instance I came across a car seat that had been secured by tying a knot in the seatbelt because the dad couldn’t get the straps through the fixings. Perhaps even more alarming was the mother who was driving her 10 or 11 year old son to school and arrived with him stood on the passenger seat with his head through the sunroof waving to his friends on the pavement.”

Warwickshire County Councillor Richard Hobbs, portfolio holder for community protection added: “We’re running this campaign to help people fulfil their responsibility for the safety of children in their care. It is imperative for the safety of children that they are restrained correctly.

“The starting point is to use a child seat that is suitable for a child’s age and weight and to ensure that it is correctly fitted. Parents and carers also need to make sure that the seat will fit the car, as some seats are not universal. People can get advice from the Highway Code, the excellent RoSPA website www.childcarseats.org.uk, the reputable retailers or by visiting one of the child car seat clinics we have organised.”

Typical child seat errors:

  1. Child is too big or too small for the seat
  2. Child seat is too loose
  3. Child seat does not rest properly on the car seat
  4. Seat belt won’t reach round child seat
  5. Seat belt anchor points badly positioned
  6. Seat belt buckle in contact with the frame of the child seat.
  7. Missing instructions so can’t install correctly
  8. Child seat has been involved in an accident
  9. Child seat is old or damaged.

Children take the fresh air alternative to the school run

Children in Lapworth will soon be able to take a healthier route to school on the Walking Bus.

Thanks to the commitment of parents and the headteacher from Lapworth Church of England Primary School, a fresh air alternative to the school run will soon be available in the mornings.

The Walking Bus will take children and trained parent volunteers from a designated ‘bus stop’ on the outskirts of the village, with an additional ‘stop’ half way along the route, then on to the primary school.

The estimated ten minute walk will give children a chance to socialise with others, gain valuable road safety awareness and get some exercise before school.

Headteacher Colette Hatton said: “We are very pleased to be able to offer the walking bus as a fun, healthy and eco-friendly way for our pupils to travel to school.”

Many schools in Warwickshire have problems with congestion outside their schools at the start and end of each day. The Walking Bus, organised by Warwickshire County Council’s Sustainable Travel Team, is a great way to help tackle school gate congestion and thereby improve road safety around the school site on Station Lane, and in addition, walking in a large group can be great fun for children as well.

The school intends to launch the walking bus after half term and it is hoped that the popularity may mean more children will choose to walk to school rather than being driven and dropped off outside the school gates.

Special offer to encourage motorcyclists to ‘Take Control’

Motorcyclists are encouraged to take up a riding skills course at a special rate to prepare for the prospect of better weather and a new riding season.

The one day ‘Take Control’ skills enhancement experience, supported by Warwickshire County Council, is being offered to riders at a £10 discount if they sign up to complete the course before 31 March 2012.

Take Control has received rave reviews from its clients and the specialist motorcycling press for the way it helps riders develop their skills and confidence under the tutorage of professional and friendly instructors.

The usual cost fee is £30, but to encourage riders to take up the programme at the beginning of the season, a limited number of places have been made available at the reduced price of just £20 if taken before the end of March.

With a focus on practical on-road training that is tailored to the individual needs of riders and a maximum ratio of two students to one instructor, riders can expect to receive plenty of helpful and friendly advice and the opportunity to practice during their time with Take Control.

County Councillor Richard Hobbs, Portfolio Holder for Community Protection said: “Many motorcyclists hibernate their bikes during the winter to avoid the cold and the hazards presented by damp and greasy road surfaces. The new year is the time when riders make plans for the season ahead and look forward to being enticed back out onto the road by longer days and better weather.

“A day out with a Take Control instructor will help riders get back into their stride and is the ideal springboard to a great riding season. The programme will help riders brush up on their skills, learn new techniques and enjoy their experience even more.”

Take Control starts with a brief and a hot drink at a favourite café close to home before spending a day on the bike with plenty more café stops for refuelling, informal de-briefs and general biking chat. The instructors work hard to ensure the courses are enjoyable as well as informative and we are hoping motorcyclists will take up this offer over the next few months as they start looking forward to better weather and more opportunities to ride.”

The Take Control training programme is available to anyone who rides in Warwickshire and is subsidised by Warwickshire County Council.

To book a Take Control day telephone 0778 685 5744 or email tcmt4riders@aol.com.

Mobile devices continue to distract drivers and put lives at risk

The serious consequences of using a mobile phone or other mobile devices when driving are highlighted in a joint campaign by Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire Police.

A radio campaign on Touch FM will be used to remind people that using phones to make calls and send texts whilst behind the wheel is both dangerous and illegal. At the same time Warwickshire Police will be clamping down on the problem.

Research shows that people are up to four times more likely to have a crash when using phones because their attention is distracted. Driver’s reactions are hindered, they become less aware of what is happening around and they are less likely to maintain an appropriate speed.

The introduction of a £60 fine and 3 penalty points for drivers who use a hand held mobile phone when driving has failed to deter many drivers from doing this. A survey by What Car? (2009) showed that 36 per cent of motorists admitted to using a handheld mobile phone while driving their car suggesting that many drivers are either willing to accept the penalties or consider that the risk of being caught is negligible. 

However, penalties can be severe. Drivers may well be unaware that if they are taken to court for using a mobile phone, which would happen if it is shown that they were driving dangerously whilst using a phone or their use of a phone contributed to a collision occurring, they could face a substantial fine, a driving disqualification and even a jail sentence.

Warwickshire County Councillor Richard Hobbs, portfolio holder for community protection said: “It is astounding that drivers are willing to allow themselves to be distracted by a mobile phone or other devices like MP3 players. Driving safely requires complete focus and if you are using a phone you are not concentrating sufficiently on your driving. Even a split second lapse could result in a crash.”

Supt. Adrian McGee, Warwickshire Police added: “It is dangerous and illegal to use a hand held mobile while driving and I take a very dim view of any driver willing to jeopardise the safety of themselves and other road users by phoning or texting while driving.

“Officers will be giving this issue particular attention this month and any driver spotted breaking the law can expect to be prosecuted. My advice is to switch off your mobile phone before you drive off.

“Callers also have an important role in keeping the roads safe. If the person you are speaking to is driving please end the call immediately and call them back later.”

What does the law say?

It is illegal to drive a vehicle or ride a motorcycle while using a hand-held mobile phone. This also applies to any similar device (that must be held at some point) to:

  • send or receive spoken or written messages or still or moving images
  • access the internet.

These devices include smartphones or Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs).

While driving, you must not use your hand-held mobile phone, smartphone or PDA:

  • to make or receive calls
  • to send or receive picture and text messages
  • to access the internet
  • when you’re stopped at traffic lights
  • when you’re queuing in traffic.

 It’s also illegal to use a hand-held phone when supervising a learner driver or rider.

If you’re an employer, you can be prosecuted if you ask your employees to make or receive calls while driving.

A driver caught using a hand-held mobile phone or similar device while driving or riding can expect to receive an automatic fixed penalty notice – three penalty points and a £60 fine.

If a case is taken to court the driver faces disqualification from driving or riding, and a  maximum fine of £1,000. If you’re a driver of a bus or goods vehicle, you could face a maximum fine of £2,500.

 

 

Keep in touch with the Gritter Twitter

Residents can keep up to date on the state of Warwickshire’s roads in winter weather through a new ‘Gritter Twitter’ site.

By following twitter.com/warksgritting motorists will receive the latest information on the gritting activity being carried out by Warwickshire Highways teams.

As and when winter weather arrives, highways teams will continue to work hard to keep the county’s roads clear.

Warwickshire Highways will be working to ensure the main roads are accessible. Details of these routes, and more information of the impact on county council services, is available on our website at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/snow

The focus on keeping the 1,760km primary routes as clear as possible and gritting other routes as resources became available.

Cllr Peter Butlin, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport, said: “In the fast-moving digital age, the new Gritter Twitter is the best and most reliable way to get updates on Warwickshire’s roads during the winter.

“Our gritters cover thousands of miles to keep Warwickshire moving in wintery conditions to ensure that as many roads as possible remain clear and safe. Highways will use this new tool to make sure that everyone knows the latest weather forecast and when the gritters are heading out.

“May I remind motorists to please drive safely in wintry weather conditions. Please make sure everything is working correctly on the car before you set off, take care at all times on the roads and adjust your driving as necessary.”

Warwickshire’s highway network extends a total of 3,820km (2,865 miles). It is not possible to treat the entire network due to narrow rural routes, densely parked residential streets and resource constraints.

At the start of the season, Warwickshire County Council stocked approximately 14,000 tonnes of salt ready for winter gritting. Warwickshire Highways grit 46 per cent of the county’s roads, which is higher than comparable local authorities.

A light-hearted video has been produced requesting residents not to use the grit from bins put aside for highway use.

In the event of snow, the www.warwickshire.gov.uk/snow will provide updates on gritting, school closures, social care disruption, library closures, household waste recycling centres and country parks.