27/09/2019
Carmarthenshire County Council is launching a rural road safety scheme to encourage motorists to drive more safely.
Figures show that nearly 120 people have been seriously injured and 26 were killed on rural roads in the county in the last two years.
Some 125 serious collisions were recorded between 2016 and 2018 with 23% involving young drivers between the ages of 17 and 24.
25/09/2019
Applications for the Road Safety Trust Small Grants Competition are now open.
The main aim of the Small Grants Programme is to improve road safety at a local level. The programme has been designed after reviewing four years of funding and listening to the views of stakeholders. This highlighted a need for funding for smaller, local projects with a practical focus.
The Road Safety Trust is looking for measurable interventions that link to local priorities and show a proposed link to reducing casualties either directly or through clear interim measures. Eligible projects are pilots/trials, expanding successful trials across a new area, and/or the evaluation of interventions.
23/09/2019
National Eye Health Week takes place between 23rd and 29th September 2019, which aims to promote the importance of eye health and the need for regular eye tests.
Good eyesight is essential when using the road, no matter what age you are. If you find it difficult to read road signs, particularly those with text, it could be that your eyesight has deteriorated and you may require spectacles or contact lenses. If you are finding it a little tougher to see clearly in the dark, this may also mean you need to wear corrective lenses.
By law, drivers and motorcyclists must be able to read a vehicle registration plate from a distance of 20 metres (or 20.5 metres if the vehicle was registered before September 2001) wearing glasses or contact lenses if required.
16/09/2019
For many years Gwynedd Council's Road Safety Unit has invited the county's Primary Schools to nominate two pupils from the junior section of the school to be Junior Road Safety Officers.
The role of the young officers is to spread road safety messages to the school community by holding talks, competitions, placing posters as well as putting their own ideas into action to raise awareness of road safety. The children receive a certificate and medal at the end of their time as Junior Road Satety Officers in recognition of all their hard work.
This year, in award ceremonies organised by Gwynedd Council’s Road Safety Unit, a shield was awarded to the schools in Arfon, Dwyfor and Meirionnydd which, in the opinion of the Road Safety Unit, had done the best job of promoting and encouraging road safety.
13/09/2019
Following a number of complaints regarding the use of off-road bikes and quad bikes, with particular concern for young children sat on the laps of drivers, the Vale of Glamorgan Council has backed a plea made by the Safer Vale Partnership for residents to report instances of off-road vehicles being used in the community.
Residents are reminded that the following vehicles are classified as not suitable for use on roads or pavements: Quad bikes, scooters/small machines that have a petrol engine, and mini motos/go-peds that are powered by an electric motor.
The size and the speed of the bike, including those that are designed for children, are not exemptions from traffic laws. Furthermore, such bikes can only carry passengers if designed to do so and has the correct number of seats to accommodate both driver and passengers. It is an offence for the driver to have a child or passenger either on their lap, or behind them whilst driving.
11/09/2019
With the new school year now well underway, Torfaen County Borough Council is encouraging safe behaviour around the school gates by highlighting solutions to ease congestion and improve safety.
Many parents believe that driving their children to school keeps them safe, but each journey increases traffic and congestion. It's understandable that some parents and carers have no alternative but to drive their children to school, however many are driving short distances where walking is a real option.
Even those who have to drive can do their bit by starting their journey five minutes earlier, parking away from the school and walking for part of the journey. Also it is now known that air pollution inside the car is generally higher than that experienced by pedestrians in the street.
02/09/2019
Road repair crews in Neath Port Talbot have been trialling a new pothole repair method which uses a thermoplastic based substance instead of traditional tarmac.
The Council reports that initial results suggest the use of the new material could be faster, cleaner and less expensive. Compared to traditional methods, the repair is a speedy process, no excavation is required and little to no waste is produced when works are undertaken.
A Council spokesman said, “In the trial, a total of two hundred and fifteen square metres was repaired in around two days using approximately three tonnes of material.