Riders and employers are being encouraged to join the motorcycle industry in promoting the benefits of commuting on two wheels, as part of an annual week-long initiative.
Organised by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA), Ride to Work Week 2018 takes place between 18-24 June, with 18 June named as Ride to Work Day.
Using the tagline #commutehappy, Ride to Work Week aims to encourage a shift towards powered two wheel (PTW) commuting. The campaign highlights the benefits of riding a PTW to work which include saving time and money, easier parking and improving road skills.
Welsh Government has published a report about road traffic casualties amongst young people, that is people aged between 16 and 24 inclusive.
Key points
2016 saw the lowest number of young people killed or seriously injured (KSI) on Welsh roads
There were 239 young person KSI casualties in 2016, a reduction of 39.6 per cent compared with the 2004-08 average. The Welsh Government target is a 40 per cent reduction by 2020.
2016 was the first year since 2012 which saw a fall in young person KSI casualties.
From Monday 4 June 2018 learner drivers will be able to take driving lessons on motorways in England, Scotland and Wales, although it will not be compulsory for everyone to do so. The aim is to help to make sure more drivers know how to use motorways safely.
Since 2006, young drivers in Wales have been able to participate in Pass Plus Cymru, an enhanced version of Pass Plus, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) post-test course. Ever since the scheme was conceived, the Welsh Government has provided road safety grant funding to local authorities to enable young drivers in Wales to contribute just £20 to the cost of attending Pass Plus Cymru.
Consisting of an interactive workshop followed by a practical element, the course has traditionally involved driving in town, on rural roads and on dual carriageways; areas that many young drivers may have already covered in their driving lessons. Pass Plus Cymru builds on these skills and teaches drivers how to deal with a wide range of situations that they may not have encountered whilst learning to drive, including driving on motorways.
The Department for Transport has announced innovative new laws which will mean people can use technology like remote control parking on British roads from June.
Changes to the Highway Code and relevant regulations were consulted on earlier this year and received overwhelming support from a range of groups including manufacturers, insurance groups and haulage companies.
Developments like remote control parking and motorway assist have the potential to transform car travel for those with mobility challenges, unlocking tight parking spaces and using computers to help driver accuracy on the road. Not only that, but technology has the potential to make driving more energy efficient meaning cheaper, cleaner journeys, with improved air quality for both drivers and pedestrians.
Supported by Caerphilly Council’s Road Safety Team, schools across Caerphilly have been involved in Walk to School Week 2018.
Over 7,000 pupils at 27 schools have enjoyed a healthy stroll to school, with many taking part in one of 20 regular walking buses that run weekly throughout the summer months. Walking buses pass through local communities and allow pupils to join at regular ‘bus stops’ along the journey, as they safely make their way to school in the company of fellow pupils and school staff.
Pupils at Maesycwmmer Primary School enjoy their walking bus each Friday, and even the rain didn’t put them off taking part in Walk to School Week. Each week the walking bus makes its way through the village as the pupils discuss a topic of the week, sing songs and wave to members of the community as they go. The walking bus allows pupils of all ages to get to know each other, providing pupils with the chance to make friends with pupils in other classes they wouldn’t usually see during a school day. The walking bus also allows teachers the chance to get to know pupils better, as they discuss their hobbies and what they enjoy doing outside of school hours.
From Monday 4 June 2018, learner drivers will be able to take driving lessons on motorways in England, Scotland and Wales. This will help to make sure more drivers know how to use motorways safely. At the moment, you can only have motorway lessons after you’ve passed your driving test.
Learner drivers will need to be accompanied by an approved driving instructor in a car fitted with dual controls. Any motorways lessons will be voluntary, and it will be up to the driving instructor to decide when the learner driver is competent enough for them.
Until the law changes, it’s still illegal for a learner driver to drive on a motorway, and the changes only apply to learner drivers of cars; learner motorcyclists won’t be allowed on motorways.
THINK! has published more than 50 new child road safety resources for parents, teachers and schools as part of a new campaign.
Launched on 16 May, the campaign is fronted by CITV star Sam Homewood and urges children to ‘stop, look, listen, think’ when crossing the road.
The free resources, which are available from the THINK! website, include mobile games and educational films, photographs and illustrations created by students from Farnborough Sixth Form College – as well as a new THINK! map to help children pinpoint risky areas near them and consider the best way to travel safely.
RoSPA has launched a survey to evaluate its child car seat website and identify ways it can be improved.
The website, www.childcarseats.org.uk, provides advice and information to anyone responsible for transporting infants and children. It covers the types of car seats available, child car seat fitting and compatibility, the law and issues around carrying other people’s children.
The website is also home to 16 short films, published in April, which cover the four main types of child car seat: rear facing seats, front facing seats, booster seats and high-backed booster seats.
Trainee officers from Gwent Police were out in force practising their skills on hundreds of unsuspecting road users.
Among the offences uncovered by the would-be police officers was a drunk driver, use of prohibited red diesel, untaxed and uninsured vehicles, unsafe loads and counterfeit tobacco.
The force set up a checkpoint at Rassau Industrial estate near Ebbw Vale, just off the A465 Heads of the Valleys road, as part of Gwent Police’s ‘day of action’, which focussed on protecting vulnerable people across the region.
Ceredigion Road Safety Officer, Kayleigh Tonkins, recently gave an interview about her role as a Road Safety Officer to Ceredigion Council's web team.
"Where do I begin with what’s involved within my role as Road Safety Officer? Road Safety affects everyone; there are so many aspects to road safety that no day is the same for us and we cater for all ages. I visit schools on a regular basis, either to pop in to deliver an assembly or spend half a day with groups of children discussing road safety matters which impact on their lives. I also enjoy encouraging active travel, and will happily help to organise a walking bus with a school, to try to encourage pupils to walk, scoot or cycle to their school at least once a week. School Crossing Patrol Officers (SCPs) make up the backbone of our Road Safety Team. They are out every day braving the elements ensuring that all pupils that do walk to school are crossed safely to their destination.
Both my colleague, Heulwen, and I are qualified child car seat advisors, and we regularly attend family centres and play groups to discuss issues parents may be having, and offer checks if the child car seat is fitted correctly. We offer this service from our office in Penmorfa, Aberaeron, so if you want to check your child car seat, simply give us a call to arrange a day and time!
Riders and employers are being encouraged to join the motorcycle industry in promoting the benefits of commuting on two wheels, as part of an annual week-long initiative.
Welsh Government has published a report about road traffic casualties amongst young people, that is people aged between 16 and 24 inclusive.
From Monday 4 June 2018 learner drivers will be able to take driving lessons on motorways in England, Scotland and Wales, although it will not be compulsory for everyone to do so. The aim is to help to make sure more drivers know how to use motorways safely.
The Department for Transport has announced innovative new laws which will mean people can use technology like remote control parking on British roads from June.
From Monday 4 June 2018, learner drivers will be able to take driving lessons on motorways in England, Scotland and Wales. This will help to make sure more drivers know how to use motorways safely. At the moment, you can only have motorway lessons after you’ve passed your driving test.
THINK! has published more than 50 new child road safety resources for parents, teachers and schools as part of a new campaign.
RoSPA has launched a survey to evaluate its child car seat website and identify ways it can be improved.
Trainee officers from Gwent Police were out in force practising their skills on hundreds of unsuspecting road users.
Ceredigion Road Safety Officer, Kayleigh Tonkins, recently gave an interview about her role as a Road Safety Officer to Ceredigion Council's web team.