Road Safety Wales Partners Meet for the 2019 Conference
A one-day conference took place yesterday (10 July) in Llandridod Wells, Powys, exploring developments in road safety practice. The annual event, which is free to member organisations, provides valuable networking between professionals and the opportunity to hear from a range of highly regarded presenters.
The conference programme, introduced by the Chair of Road Safety Wales, Teresa Ciano, featured eleven presentations, with the morning session including presentations from Dr Gemma Briggs (The Open University) on distracted driving and the cost of not paying attention; Dr Helen Wells (Keele University) on Mobile:Engaged and Danielle Carvell on Crown Commercial Service’s role in road safety procurement.
Rebecca Needham (RoSPA) outlined the latest developments in road safety evaluation. Followed by Andrew Rustage and David Thomas (DVLA Enforcement) with an eye-opening presentation of the vehicle defects encountered on British roads.
Susan Storch (Dyfed Powys Police) and Kayleigh Tonkins (Ceredigion County Council) delivered a presentation on the Mature Drive Project, devised and piloted in their region.
The presentation of the 2019 Road Safety Wales Awards also took place, recognising significant personal contributions being undertaken by individuals across Wales.
This year’s recipients were:
- Dawn Davies - in recognition of her dedicated long service as a School Crossing Patrol in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion
- Lynn Griffiths, Headteacher at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Caerffili for 15 years of leadership and dedication to the school’s walking bus
- David Hillier and Adrian Lloyd for their considerable voluntary services to the Kerbcraft scheme in Penrhiwceibr Primary School, Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Denys Bassett-Jones of Pembrokeshire College for his work with media students in support of all-Wales road safety campaigns
- Cynthia Binding in recognition of 31 years of dedicated service as a School Crossing Patrol in Neath Port Talbot
- Eirian Farrell for her unwavering commitment to child pedestrian safety at Ysgol Y Gorlan, Tremadog, Gwynedd
The afternoon session saw presentations relating to the effective use of the media from TV producer/presenter Emyr Penlan (Tinopolis) and Rebecca Morris (Road Safey Support) with her presentation on effective promotion without the price tag.
Stilwell Road Safety was represented by Liz Aldred who delivered an informative presentation on the educational resources available via srsCULTURE. Followed by Mark Foweraker, Chair of the County Surveyors Society Wales Traffic Service Group, who provided an insight into the role of the forum and the benefits to local authorities in Wales.
Closing the day was PC Mark Hodson with a comprehensive overview of the work undertaken within Operation Zig Zag, by the West Midland Police Road Harm Reduction Team.
Road Safety Wales would like to thank all delegates, presenters, exhibitors and award winners who made the 2019 conference a success.