31/07/2015
Over 350 breath tests were positive throughout Wales during the recent month-long Anti Drink and Drug Drive Summer Campaign. The campaign, which was led by North Wales Police, saw officers carrying out over 12,000 breath tests and 52 arrests were made under the new Section 5a drug drive offence which came into being on March 4th 2015, giving officers the ability to test for cannabis and cocaine use.
North Wales Police administered 5,235 breath tests with 85 being positive. The force also carried out 20 DrugWipe tests, using the new kit, half of those tested failed.
Gwent Police carried out 297 breath tests with 17 testing positive, refusing or failing to provide. 19 people were arrested following a Section 5a drug test.
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27/07/2015
In response to the Welsh Government's 'Road Safety Framework for Wales', Monday 20th July saw the launch of the Welsh Fire and Rescue Service's 'Road Safety Strategy' providing a framework for the three Welsh FRS to communicate and implement their road safety commitments on a national and local level.
Chief Fire Officer for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS), Chris Davies said: "Road safety has improved considerably in recent years. In 2014 there were 8,208 reported casualties as a result of road traffic collisions in Wales, this is a 30% reduction on the number of casualties seen on our roads 10 years ago. While the number of incidents has declined, statistics show a 12% increase in the number of people seriously injured on our roads in the last year, with poor driving and observation the leading cause of collisions. Clearly, while much has been achieved through collaborative working with our road safety partners, more needs to be done.
A disproportionate number of vulnerable road users including young people (16 to 24 year olds) and motorcyclists are killed or seriously injured compared to other groups. Despite making up 11% of driving licence holders, young people represent 23% of casualties in road traffic collisions in Wales.
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07/07/2015
Community Support Officer Amanda Yung from Abergavenny Team has been working to tackle an ongoing issue with anti-social driving, along with educating young drivers about safe driving following 19 fatal road traffic collisions in Gwent since January 2014.
CSO Yung organised an event in Abergavenny in June along with partner agencies including the Road Safety Team from Monmouthshire County Council and South Wales Fire and Rescue.
The event was held at a local car park where high reports of anti-social driving had been received. The aim of the event was to encourage residents to go along and meet the young people and give their views on how the driving and behaviour was affecting them.
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