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Streetlights Mean 30

gosafe@swansea.gov.uk (Editor) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

INJURED CYCLIST, STUDENT AND GRIEVING MOTHER BACK
“STREETLIGHTS MEAN 30!” CAMPAIGN

A Paralympian cyclist, a student and grieving mother have all been affected by a series of hit-and-run incidents and are endorsing a major new road safety campaign launched today (29 March 2012) to bring home to Welsh motorists the dangers of driving over 30 mph on any road lit by streetlights (unless otherwise stated).

Simon Richardson, Kiera Phillips and Cherie Ozdemir were at the launch of Streetlights Mean 30!, which is designed to re-inforce the message that the absolute speed limit for driving in built-up areas where there are street lights is 30 mph – unless otherwise stated.

The campaign is being orchestrated across Wales by GoSafe – the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership, which works to improve road safety to reduce casualties on Welsh roads. Launched in Swansea at the DVLA (which is also publicising the information throughout their Centres across Wales), it will promote the message via posters, leaflets, website and promotional items.

Paralympian cyclist Simon Richardson was left in a critical condition last summer after suffering multiple injuries in an alleged hit-and-run incident. The 44-year-old from Porthcawl, who won two golds and a silver at the 2008 Beijing games, was hit by a van while on his bike on the A48 near Bridgend. The accident ended his dreams of competing in London 2012, and came on top of an earlier serious crash in 2001 which left Simon permanently disabled after being hit by a car.

Kiera Phillips, 18, of Cae Brackla, Brackla, was knocked down in a hit-and-run incident in December 2010 as she crossed Cowbridge Road outside Bridgend College. The accident broke her back and her neck and left her strapped to her hospital bed for three days and wearing a plastic body brace for months.

Rachel Jones, 13 of Glyncoch, Pontypridd was knocked down in a hit-and-run on the 14th February 2004 leaving her with brain damage, sustained fractures to her pelvis, shoulder and heel and a punctured lung. She is paralysed down the right side unable to walk, talk and has to be fed through a tube.

Around 118,820 motorists were caught speeding between January and December 2011 within a 30mph zone, Streetlights Mean 30! is intended to educate motorists about the effect on someone who is hit at 40mph compared to 30mph.

Figures from Welsh Government and the DfT show that if someone is hit at 40mph, there is a 31% chance they will die, but hit at 30mph, there is a 93% chance they will live, although this is primarily due to car technology and not driver behaviour.

Jim Moore, manager of GoSafe, said many motorists are unaware that a system of street lighting means the road is limited to 30mph (unless otherwise stated)

“Through this campaign, GoSafe intends to get across a simple message to help drivers identify and stay within 30mph speed limits – if there are streetlights, don’t go over 30 mph.

“Between January 2008 and December 2010, 612 pedestrians have been killed or seriously injured in a 30mph zone in Wales, (200 of them children up to and including 15 years of age). This statistic shows why it is so crucially important for motorists to observe 30mph speed limits, and for us to launch this initiative, working with our partners to educate motorists as part of our overall road safety messages.”

David Hancock, Director of E Services and Data Input, said:

“Safe driving demands concentration and it is vital that speed limits are followed.”

For further information on the campaign please visit www.streetlightsmean30.co.uk and www.gosafe.org

ENDS

84mph in 30mph zone biker Keith Darch jailed

gosafe@swansea.gov.uk (Editor) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A motorcyclist who did 84mph in a 30mph zone has been jailed for 18 weeks after trying to avoid a speeding offence by claiming he had sold his bike.

Keith Robert Darch, 26, from Abergele, Conwy, admitted perverting the course of justice.
Mold Crown Court sitting in Chester was told he gave false details on a form after he was caught on a speed camera.

He was also given a two-year driving ban for the offence on the B4391 near Bala, Gwynedd, on 12 March 2011.

Judge Philip Richards said only an immediate prison could properly reflect the seriousness of his behaviour.

However, he said it would be reduced to 18 weeks to reflect the guilty plea.

Gareth Parry, prosecuting, told how North Wales Police sent the defendant a Section 172 form asking who was riding his green motorcycle when it was caught on camera.

Darch was the registered keeper, but on 7 April police received the returned form claiming that a man named Gregory Robinson, a false name, had been the rider.

The defendant ticked a box to say that he had sold the machine at the time of the offence.
Police responded by saying that he was still the registered keeper and asked for documents to prove the sale of the bike.

The DVLA received a "new keeper form" for the bike in the false name of Gregory Robinson with an address in Chester.

In June, a Mr Dalgleish bought the motorbike after seeing it for sale on the eBay auction website.

He collected the bike on 8 June from an address in Ellesmere Port where the defendant was living at the time.

Then, a new registration form was received by the DVLA claiming that the bogus Mr Robinson had sold the bike to Mr Dalgleish.

But Mr Parry said police enquiries revealed that the bike had been sold through the eBay account of Darch's girlfriend.

'It was me'

Enquiries with eBay revealed that they both lived at the Ellesmere Port address and the bike had been sold on the day after he was supposed to have sold it to the bogus Mr Robinson.

Police went to the Ellesmere Port address and examined safety helmets in the garage.
They found one had been used by the rider the day it was captured by the speed camera.
The court heard it was then that Darch admitted: "It was me."

Robin Boag, defending, said his client was full of remorse, had acted out of panic, and shot himself in the foot.

After the hearing, GoSafe, the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership, said the case should serve as lesson to anyone considering lying to police.

"It is still disappointing to find that people are still going to great, and calculated, lengths to avoid prosecution," said GoSafe manager Jim Moore.

"Those individuals who deliberately attempt to avoid prosecution by dishonest means will be investigated and dealt with robustly."

ALL WALES ANTI DRINK/ DRUG DRIVING CAMPAIGN LAUNCH

gosafe@swansea.gov.uk (Editor) — Thu, 1 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

This Christmas police will be targeting drivers who risk their lives and the lives of others by driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Gwent Police will lead the month-long campaign on behalf of the four welsh police forces, with the launch taking place at the Congress Theatre in Cwmbran on Thursday 1st December.

Last year in Wales a total of 40,264 motorists took part in the campaign, with 578 returning either positive results or failing/refusing to take the breath test.

Chief Constable of Gwent Police, Carmel Napier said:

"We are committed to making the roads in Wales safer and year on year we raise awareness of the dangers of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs through campaigns such as this one.

"Christmas is a time for enjoyment and social events, and whilst I would encourage everyone to have a good time, it is important to reiterate our key message; if you drink, don’t drive and if you drive, don’t drink – it’s that simple!"

Officers in Wales will be out and about 24 hours a day, 7 days a week conducting high profile roadside checks and using intelligence to identify offenders. Although this is a month-long focussed campaign, the drive to change attitudes, increase road safety and catch offenders continues all year round.

The Chair of Road Safety Wales, Susan Storch, said: "Our advice is that if you're expecting to drink alcohol during the Christmas holiday, plan how to get home without driving. Don't offer an alcoholic drink to someone you know is planning to drive and don’t accept a lift from a driver you know has drunk alcohol."

Welsh Government Minster with responsibility for Transport, Carl Sargeant, said:
"Alcohol related deaths on our roads are entirely avoidable. The Welsh Government is committed to targeting the small minority of people drinking and driving on our roads, and campaigns like this are crucial to changing attitudes."

Gwent Police officers will be launching the campaign at the Congress Theatre in Gwent Square, Cwmbran at 12pm on Thursday 1st December 2011. Roads Policing Officers and Special Constables will be on hand to speak with members of the public, and give them the chance to take a breath test to gain a greater understanding of the process and how the equipment works. Partner agencies will also be present with information and stands to support and raise awareness of the campaign.

If you have information relating to someone you think is driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, please contact police on 101. In an emergency always call 999.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Media are invited to the event to film, take photographs and interview officers present. If you are interested in attending please contact Kate Emmens at Gwent Police press office on 01633 647018.

SWANS SUPPORT DRIVE TO KEEP YOUNG MOTORISTS SAFE

gosafe@swansea.gov.uk (Editor) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Swansea City footballers are backing a campaign to educate youngsters about the dangers and consequences of poor driving as part of Road Safety Week (21-27 November).

The Premier League team are supporting GoSafe’s Deadly Mates campaign, which also highlights the importance of peer pressure in getting young motorists to drive carefully and slow down by speaking out against dangerous driving.

Leaflets will be handed out at the Swans game against Aston Villa on 27 November, via the Club Shop and Ticket Office. Announcements about the campaign will also be made at half-time.

Jim Moore, manager of GoSafe – the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership, said: “Road collisions are sudden, violent events that rip apart families by ending lives too soon, causing life-changing injuries and leading to terrible suffering. This is the biggest killer of young people in the UK yet these accidents are preventable.

“During Road Safety Week, we’ll be appealing to young people, drivers of all ages, parents and the wider community to work together to put a stop to this needless loss of young lives on our roads. We’ll be asking all young people to look out for themselves and their friends as drivers and passengers, and speak up if they feel their friend is driving dangerously.”

Swansea City’s Captain Garry Monk said: “We know that young people look up to our players so we are happy to do anything we can to help bring down these casualties.”

GoSafe will be operating night-time mobile camera enforcement throughout the week at collision hotspots to make motorists aware of their speeds at night, when visibility is low and road hazards are not so obvious.

Deadly Mates is funded and managed by the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership and supported by the four Welsh police forces, local authorities, Road Safety Wales, RosPA, Welsh Government, HMCS and the emergency services.

For further information on the campaign please visit www.gosafe.org and its sister site www.deadlymates.com.

ENDS

Thank You for Making Me A Better Driver

gosafe@swansea.gov.uk (Editor) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

A father who went on a speed awareness course in Wales after being caught speeding has thanked the course organisers for making him a better driver.

Garry Jones, a former long distance lorry driver, said that the course run by the TTC Group had reminded him “just how precious” his two-year-old daughter Martha was as she usually travelled in the car with her dad.

“When the instructor spoke about the dangers of speed it made me think about our two-year-old and about how we should reduce our speed to 20mph outside schools,” said Garry, a carer from Llanddewi Brefi, near Lampeter, Ceredigion.

Garry admitted that he was unhappy at having to pay to go on the course which he did to save getting three points on his licence after being caught driving six miles over the 40mph limit while driving to Carmarthen.

But he now believed the four hour course in Aberystwyth had made him a much safer and more responsible driver and he was now more aware of the dangers of inappropriate speed.

He now drove his car in third gear in towns to reduce speed, travelled at 20mph near schools and gradually slowed down before reaching a speed restriction sign.

“I realise now that a speed limit is not a target. The course has made me notice much more while I’m on the road. I strongly recommend the course to anyone who chooses to go on one. It really has helped to improve my driving.”

Des Morrison, manager of the TTC Group, of Hadley, Park, Telford, which is the UK’s largest provider of driver education courses, said Garry was one of many people who had changed their driving habits to become safer motorists as a result of the course.

“The aim of a speed awareness course is to educate motorists and remind them about the rules of the road. It helps to contribute towards a reduction in the number of injuries and deaths on our roads.”

The TTC Group also run National Driver Alertness Courses and drink drive rehabilitation courses. TTC Automotive, part of the TTC Group, runs courses for the corporate sector as well as individual drivers to educate motorists before they commit a traffic offence. They also put on driver CPC courses for professional drivers to meet EU regulations. For more information about attending a bespoke driving course contact TTC Automotive on 03338000222 or visit www.ttcautomotive.co.uk

END

DANGEROUS DRIVERS TO FACE LONGER JAIL TERMS

gosafe@swansea.gov.uk (Editor) — Fri, 7 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Dangerous drivers who seriously injure others could spend longer in jail thanks to a new criminal offence, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke announced today.

The new offence of 'causing serious injury by dangerous driving' will carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison and allow the courts to impose tougher punishments on dangerous drivers who devastate the lives of others.

The changes will be taken forward as part of the Government’s Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill.

For the vast majority of other dangerous driving cases, the maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment provides the courts with sufficient and proportionate powers to punish offenders.

Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke said:
“Dangerous driving can destroy lives and have a devastating effect on victims and their families and friends.

“We have listened to the victims of dangerous drivers, their families, MPs, judges and road safety groups and their experiences have directly informed these changes.

“Making our roads safer is a priority - five people died on our roads each day last year, so we need to do everything we can to further improve safety.”

Ellen Booth, Brake senior campaigns officer said:
“Brake wholeheartedly welcomes this new offence which will help to provide justice to families whose lives have been ripped apart by dangerous drivers.

“As a charity that supports bereaved and seriously injured victims of road crashes, we repeatedly see victims’ families being grossly let down by the justice system, which only adds to the terrible trauma they must endure.

“This new offence finally means that serious injury is recognised within the title of the offence, and this recognition is vitally important to victims and their families. It also means that dangerous drivers who inflict serious injuries can expect to see higher sentences to better reflect the terrible trauma and injuries they have caused.”

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said:
“The vast majority of motorists are safe and responsible but the wilfully reckless minority who put lives in danger must face serious penalties.

“We are taking action to help the police tackle drink and drug driving, as well as to crack down on uninsured and dangerous drivers, and this new offence will mean the courts can properly punish those who inflict serious injuries.

“These measures – together with improved educational courses for drivers who need to improve their skills – will help ensure Britain’s roads remain among the safest in the world.”

Andrew Howard, Head of Road Safety at the AA said:

“Dangerous drivers who do so wilfully choose to take risks and should face the consequences of their actions.

“These law changes should make sentences more proportionate to the devastation dangerous driving causes and should also deter people from driving badly.”

Notes to Editors:
1. If a person causes death by dangerous driving the maximum sentence is 14 years.
2. 1,850 road deaths occurred in 2010. The Department for Transport published its Strategic Framework for Road Safety earlier this year, setting out the Government’s plans to improve road safety education and enforcement.
3. For further information please call the Ministry of Justice Press Office on 020333 4 3536.

ENDS

Road Safety Campaign Encouraging Young Farmers

gosafe@swansea.gov.uk (Editor) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Young Farmers Clubs (YFC) in Pembrokeshire are launching a campaign throughout their clubs in an attempt to engage with Young Farmers to slow down when they drive along country roads in Wales – and to help save lives.

Run by GoSafe – the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership, the Deadly Mates campaign aims to educate young people about the dangers and consequences of poor driving and the importance of peer pressure in getting young motorists to drive carefully and slow down.

The Pembrokeshire YFC will be promoting the Deadly Mates campaign throughout their clubs, supplying leaflets to young drivers and linking in with the Fire Service to hold young driver focus groups.

Dill Williams of Pembrokeshire Young Farmers’ Clubs said “the initiative would be of benefit to members of all ages but was particularly relevant to young people in rural areas who rely so much on their cars to get round. Anything that helps to keep the members safe is to be welcomed and we fully support this project and look forward to working in partnership with GoSafe in promoting the Deadly Mates campaign,” she said.

Jeremy Trew, Community Safety Manager, Pembrokeshire Command, Mid & West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. “Statistics showing that young people are at high risk of having an accident only confirms every fire fighters experience. We attend many incidents involving young people, each of which has a consequence for the casualties involved and their families and friends so we are committed to reducing the accident rate. We are delighted to be involved with GoSafe and be able to bring the Deadly Mates campaign to young people through the Young Farmers clubs. This is an ideal way for us to meet our target age group with a fresh new approach.”

Teresa Healy, Business Manager & Senior Analyst of GoSafe - the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership, added: “We devised Deadly Mates after a report revealed that a certain group of young drivers aged 17-24 were unlikely to be affected by shock tactics in some road safety campaigns. Instead, Deadly Mates looks to change their behaviour by targeting peers to encourage these drivers to slow down. The message is simple - if you have a friend that drives too fast, they can take your future away from you in a second. “

“In Wales, between 2008-2010, 1155 young people aged between 17 and 24 were involved in fatal or serious accidents. We hope with the support of the Pembrokeshire Young Farmers Clubs in distributing our ‘Ten Ways to Lose Your License ‘leaflets and posters, we can continue to raise awareness of the risks of reckless driving and peer distraction and directly help reduce the number of accidents and deaths of young people on Welsh roads.”

Deadly Mates is funded and managed by the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership and supported by the Welsh Government, four Welsh police forces, 22 local authorities, HMCS and the emergency services.

For further information on the campaign please visit www.gosafe.org and its sister site www.deadlymates.com.

ENDS

BORDERS TO COAST SPEED OPERATION TACKLING SPEEDING

gosafe@swansea.gov.uk (Editor) — Mon, 1 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

WAG Continues To Support Casualty Reduction

gosafe@swansea.gov.uk (Editor) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Welsh Assembly Government has announced continued support for GoSafe - the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership with funding of £4m. This will enable the partnership to maintain all current services to reduce casualties and increase public satisfaction through improved road safety.

GoSafe is the largest safety camera enforcement partnership in the UK and is made up of 28 equal partners comprising the Welsh Assembly Government, 22 unitary authorities in Wales, the four police forces and Her Majesty’s Court Service. It also works very closely with the four Regional Transport Consortia and road safety groups in Wales. All the partners work together to bring about an integrated approach to improving road safety with a continued aim to reduce casualties on Welsh roads.

GoSafe has had significant achievements in reducing casualties and saving lives at safety camera sites across Wales with an average KSI (killed or seriously injured) casualty reduction rate of 62.7 per cent against the original baseline for fixed and mobile sites.

This considerable reduction at safety camera sites has meant:

there were 12 fewer people killed or seriously injured from collisions involving motorcycles in Wales with 37 in 2008 compared to 25 in 2009.
casualties from collisions involving professional drivers in Wales dropped from 359 in 2008 to 327 in 2009.
there were 23 fewer casualties from collisions involving young drivers with a decrease from 561 in 2008 to 538 in 2009.

GoSafe manages and promotes driver education campaigns such as Deadly Mates, which educates Young Drivers (www.deadlymates.com) and is publicised throughout McDonalds restaurants in Wales. The Wales by Bike campaign (www.walesbybike.com) provides motorcyclists with advice on how to be safe on roads together with the common causes of accidents and how to avoid them. This campaign is supported by Hollywood Actor Michael Sheen and Government agencies in Wales. GoSafe will continue to work alongside the Welsh Assembly Government and partners to promote education in order to change driver behaviour through compliance with speed limits in order to reduce accidents on Welsh roads.

Ieuan Wyn Jones, Deputy First Minister & Minister for Economy and Transport, said: “I am very pleased to be announcing this continued funding, especially as we have been dealt a particularly tough funding settlement by the UK Government. I fully recognise that enforcement plays a large part in reducing casualties on our roads and acknowledge that the use of safety camera technology has contributed significantly to the success that has been achieved in road casualty reduction over the past decade.

“This money will allow the partnership to continue its good work in contributing towards improved road safety throughout Wales and reducing accident numbers on Welsh roads to record lows.”

Assistant Chief Constable Nick Croft, South Wales Police, said: “The four police forces and our partners are proud of the significant progress we have made across Wales in relation to reducing casualties through speed enforcement and other supporting road safety campaigns. The Welsh Assembly Government has recognised this contribution and I am very grateful for their continued support which will contribute to keeping the roads in Wales some of the safest in Europe.”

Jim Moore, manager of GoSafe, added: “The decision from the Welsh Assembly Government to continue to fund safety cameras and our education programme is proof of the significant success that has been achieved in road casualty reductions over the past decade. Without education and enforcement there will no doubt be a deterioration of driver behaviour and increased casualties on the roads in Wales. This funding allows us to maintain all of our current services without compromising on the effectiveness of our operations.”

ENDS

Hollywood Actor Launches Campaign

gosafe@swansea.gov.uk (Editor) — Tue, 8 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Information from Go Safe

gosafe@swansea.gov.uk (Editor) — Tue, 7 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Information from Go Safe – the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership relating to the average speed cameras – M4 Gwent (@ 7 December 2010)

From 1 September 2009 to 30 September 2010, 6547 Notices of Intended Prosecution were issued as a result of offences recorded by the average speed cameras on the M4 in Gwent.
To date, 2321 have paid the £60 fine and received three penalty points on their licence.
660 have been referred to court (either for driving 26mph or more above the posted speed limit or failing to nominate the driver). These offences are now dealt with by HMCS (Her Majesty’s Court Service).
1112 have been offered a speed awareness course.
753 offences were cancelled (emergency vehicles, mitigating circumstances etc).
1701 are currently ongoing*.
*Central Ticket Office has six months to conclude a case. They have 14 clear days from the day the offence is recorded to issue the Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP). The recipient of the NIP then has 28 days to respond with details of the driver. If they were not the driver, a new NIP is then issued to the nominated driver and they have 28 days to respond (bear in mind that many of the vehicles driving along the M4 will be company cars so more than one NIP will be issued to determine the driver). Once a driver admits responsibility for the offence, either a Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty Notice is issued or the matter referred to court. If a driver is not nominated, the matter will also be referred to court for the offence of failing to supply the name and address of the driver.
Since the cameras went live, a top speed of 95mph has been recorded.
When you consider that more than 43 million vehicles have passed through this stretch of road since the camera went live (approx 110,000 a day), this figure represents a tiny fraction of traffic driving through.
Average speeds have dropped to 49.4mph since the cameras were introduced. The cameras will be removed once the roadworks are completed and replaced with a variable speed limit system.
Jim Moore, manager of Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership, said: “It is encouraging to see that, on the whole, motorists are complying with the reduced speed limit of 50mph while important roadworks take place and we hope that this compliance continues over the next few months while work is completed for the safety of motorists and the roadworkers, who are operating day and night.”

DVLA and DSA Backs Campaign

gosafe@swansea.gov.uk (Editor) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT

DVLA AND DSA BACKS CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE NEWLY QUALIFIED YOUNG DRIVERS

L-R Julie Palmer - DVLA, Angela Smith, Jim Moore - Go Safe, Garry Monk - Swansea City AFC, ACC Nick Croft - South Wales Police

The DVLA and Driving Standards Agency (DSA) are backing Go Safe’s Deadly Mates campaign to educate young people about the consequences of poor driving and the importance of peer pressure in getting young motorists to drive carefully and slow down.

Run by Go Safe – the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership, the Deadly Mates campaign aims to educate young people about the dangers and consequences of poor driving and the importance of peer pressure in getting young motorists to drive carefully and slow down.

22 DSA Driving Test Centres across Wales are supporting the campaign, supplying thousands of leaflets to young customers on ’10 ways to lose your licence’ and placing posters on their display boards. The DVLA are also supporting the campaign in their centres across Wales - Swansea, Cardiff and Bangor.

Chief Executive of DVLA, Simon Tse, said:
“Britain’s roads are the safest in the world, but we cannot be complacent. That is why DVLA support the Deadly Mates campaign: the friends of newly qualified drivers are often best placed to encourage good driving and challenge bad behavior.”

Chief Executive of DSA, Rosemary Thew, added:
“We work very hard to help young people become safe and responsible drivers. If you reach six or more penalty points in the two years after passing the test, you will lose your licence and have to pass the theory and practical tests all over again. DSA supports the Deadly Mates campaign because it helps the friends of novice drivers understand their role in keeping our roads safe.”

Jim Moore, manager of Go Safe - the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership, said: “We devised Deadly Mates after a report revealed that a certain group of young drivers aged 17-24 were unlikely to be affected by shock tactics in some road safety campaigns. Instead, Deadly Mates looks to change their behaviour by targeting peers to encourage these drivers to slow down. The message is simple - if you have a friend that drives too fast, they can take your future away from you in a second.

“In Wales, between 2005-2009, 164 young people aged between 17 and 24 were killed either as drivers, passengers or riders in road traffic accidents – over a quarter of all fatalities. We hope with the support of the DSA and DVLA in distributing our ’10 ways to lose your licence’ leaflets and posters, we can continue to raise awareness of the risks of reckless driving and peer distraction and directly help reduce the number of accidents and deaths of young people on Welsh roads.”

Deadly Mates is funded and managed by the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership and supported by the four Welsh police forces, local authorities, Welsh Assembly Government, HMCS and the emergency services.

For further information on the campaign please visit www.gosafe.org and its sister site www.deadlymates.com.

Wales Exceeds UK Government Targets

gosafe@swansea.gov.uk (Editor) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Safety cameras in Wales are working as a new report shows that the reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured at camera sites has exceeded UK Government targets.

GoSafe - the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership - unveiled the figures in its annual report which was launched today. It revealed a 41.72 per cent reduction in the number of killed or seriously injured (KSI) casualties since cameras were introduced back in 2002 – exceeding the UK Government target of 40 per cent. Reductions in Child (KSI) casualties have also exceeded the 50 per cent target set, with a 55 per cent reduction.

Jim Moore, Partnership Manager of GoSafe, said: “Excessive and inappropriate speed remains a major cause of collisions and associated fatalities and serious injuries on our roads. As our annual report clearly shows, safety cameras, whether they are fixed, mobile or average speed, play an important role in moderating driver behaviour and have contributed significantly to the impressive reductions in fatal and serious casualties in recent years.

“Saving families from the grief of a sudden death of a loved one is worthwhile in itself. Education, engineering and enforcement are far more cost effective than the costs of emergency services, hospitals and care associated with a road traffic collision. ”

The annual report 2009/2010 covers the first year for GoSafe - the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership (WRCRP). The largest in the UK, GoSafe is made up of 28 partners, including the 22 unitary authorities in Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government, four police forces and Her Majesty’s Court Service.

In Wales, the partnership currently operates 168 fixed cameras, 45 red light cameras and a digital average speed camera system on the M4. There is also a fleet of mobile enforcement units that cover a total of 573 mobile camera sites across Wales.*

* Figures correct at time of printing

To download this year’s Annual Report, please click on following link.

Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership - Annual Report 2009/2010

ENDS

LOCAL MCDONALD’S BACKS CAMPAIGN

gosafe@swansea.gov.uk (Editor) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Twenty-one McDonald’s restaurants across Wales support campaign to educate young people about responsible driving.

Information from Go Safe – the Wales Road Casualty

gosafe@swansea.gov.uk (Editor) — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

From 18 September 2009 to 31 March 2010, 2379 Notices of Intended Prosecution were issued as a result of offences recorded by the average speed cameras on the M4 in Gwent.
To date, 588 have paid the £60 fine and received three penalty points on their licence.
130 have been referred to court (either for driving 26mph or more above the posted speed limit or failing to nominate the driver). These offences are now dealt with by HMCS (Her Majesty’s Court Service).
38 have completed a speed awareness course.
114 offences were cancelled (emergency vehicles, mitigating circumstances etc).
1509 are currently ongoing* (many of these will have been referred to speed awareness courses but until the driver completes the course, this figure is not counted under the speed awareness numbers).
*Central Ticket Office has six months to conclude a case. They have 14 clear days from the day the offence is recorded to issue the Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP). The recipient of the NIP then has 28 days to respond with details of the driver. If they were not the driver, a new NIP is then issued to the nominated driver and they have 28 days to respond (bear in mind that many of the vehicles driving along the M4 will be company cars so more than one NIP will be issued to determine the driver). Once a driver admits responsibility for the offence, either a Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty Notice is issued or the matter referred to court. If a driver is not nominated, the matter will also be referred to court for the offence of failing to supply the name and address of the driver.
Since the cameras went live, a top speed of 95mph has been recorded.
When you consider that more than 21 million vehicles have passed through this stretch of road since the camera went live (approx 110,000 a day), this figure represents a tiny fraction of traffic driving through.
Average speeds have dropped to 49.4mph since the cameras were introduced.
Jim Moore, manager of Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership, said: “It is encouraging to see that, on the whole, motorists are complying with the reduced speed limit of 50mph while important roadworks take place and we hope that this compliance continues over the next few months while work is completed for the safety of motorists and the roadworkers, who are operating day and night.”

Welsh Assembly Government National Transport Plan

gosafe@swansea.gov.uk (Editor) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones has launched the first ever National Transport Plan which sets out how he will deliver the One Wales vision of a modern and sustainable transport system for Wales. The aim of the plan is to ensure a system of transport fit for the 21st century based on three key principles: to meet the demand for enhanced mobility which will enable economic growth and improve the quality of life for the people of Wales; to put transport onto a more sustainable and less carbon-intensive path; and to use transport funding more effectively in light of increased pressures on public finances. Improving the safety of the road network is also highlighted in the plan as a key responsibility, with special emphasis on reducing casualty rates of vulnerable users. Jim Moore, manager of Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership, welcomed the plan and said that the partnership would continue to work closely with Welsh Assembly Government and partners to help reduce casualties through education, engineering and enforcement initiatives and continuing its work targeting vulnerable groups such as young drivers, motorcyclists and professional drivers.

National Transport Plan

Speed awareness courses launched to cut collision

gosafe@swansea.gov.uk (Editor) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Motorists who exceed the speed limit by a few miles an hour in Mid and South Wales can now attend a speed awareness course instead of receiving a fine and points on their licence. The first speed awareness courses, which are already in place in many police forces across the UK including North Wales, have started in the Dyfed Powys, Gwent and South Wales police force areas in a bid to re-educate speeding motorists and cut the region’s road collision toll. Those motorists going a few miles an hour over the posted speed limits will be given the option of paying £80 to attend the course, which aims to raise awareness about the consequences of speeding. This is an alternative to prosecution and offenders will not receive penalty points. Motorists are only eligible for a course if they are caught driving at speeds up to 10 per cent plus 6mph of the posted limit. Those recorded driving over this will be prosecuted either through the conditional offer of fixed penalty process or a court appearance. The four-hour, classroom-based workshop will emphasise the importance of driving within speed limits and at speeds appropriate to road conditions. It will give motorists tips on how to avoid concentration lapses, hazard awareness and how to keep themselves and others safe on the road.

New Website Launched

gosafe@swansea.gov.uk (Editor) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Our new website is up and running, giving you all the information you need on speed and red light camera enforcement in Wales. The camera database allows you to search for all fixed, mobile and traffic light cameras across the country, highlighting the maximum speeds on the roads. There’s FAQs to dispel the myths surrounding safety camera enforcement, details on our campaigns, advice for sub-groups such as young/new drivers, motorcyclists, mature and professional drivers, and details on the penalty process. Let us know what you think!

Our Vans Go Safe

gosafe@swansea.gov.uk (Editor) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Our mobile camera vans have had a facelift to reflect our new name and brand. All now feature the Go Safe logo and website address – keep an eye out for them when out and about!

test news

gosafe@swansea.gov.uk (Editor) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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