Grid Reference Stickers and Location Markers
One hundred and ninety ‘Ride Safely’ information posters are currently being placed on roads around the County, Powys County Council has announced.
Not only do the posters act as a reminder to motorcyclists but they also highlight the presence of motorcyclists to all other road users. Additionally, since 2011, all of the posters also have a grid reference sticker and location marker on the back. It is hoped that if a motorcyclist is involved in a collision or breaks down, they can use the sticker to provide their exact location on unfamiliar roads.
The sticker comprises a 12-figure grid reference, which can be given to the emergency services control rooms, together with a description of the road number and route. These stickers were used to aid the emergency services with 5 collisions in the last financial year.
With 3,400 miles of road, Powys has the largest road network in Wales and motorcyclists come from far and wide to enjoy our rural roads.
Grid Reference Sticker
Sarah Morris, the Council’s Senior Road Safety Officer, said: “In 2014, 6 motorcyclists lost their lives as a result of a road traffic collision in the County and in excess of 25 motorcyclists received serious injuries. As one of the most vulnerable road users in Powys, the Council’s Road Safety Unit wants to greatly reduce the number of motorcyclist casualties.”
Cllr John Brunt, Cabinet Member for Road Safety, said: “We hope that our road safety education, training and publicity will encourage motorcyclists to continue using our roads but in a safe and informed manner.”
“We hope that the grid reference stickers will continue to be successful by assisting the emergency services to arrive at the exact location of the collision within the golden hour. This could make the difference between a serious and fatal collision.”
For more information on this scheme and other initiatives available to motorcyclists, please contact the Road Safety Unit on 01597 826979 or email road.safety@powys.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can visit the Unit’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/RoadSafetyPowys