27.10.09 The Road Safety Partnership has joined the virtual world of Twitter! Follow our regular updates on www.twitter.com, where we’re busy tweeting about our staff, what we’re up to, where we’ll be, and any interesting facts and stats we want to share. We’re called GlosRoadSafety.
21.10.09 Researchers in the Partnership have been compiling the casualty and collision data for the first half of 2009, and have found 80% of collisions occuring in the first six months were caused by driver or rider error.
There were nine fatalities between January and June – the lowest six month figure since 2000. Overall there were 89 serious injury, and 660 slight injury accidents in the same period, again lower than in previous years.
Evaluation has revealed that 88% of collisions were down to driver or pedestrian error with drivers or riders accounting for the vast majority – 80%. Research is ongoing to determine which particular groups should be targeted with educational and campaign messages. To see the first six month report, click here.
21.10.09 People in Gloucestershire are being urged to take extra care as the clocks go back this weekend (Sunday 25th October). As the evenings get darker, it can be more difficult to spot people and hazards on the roads.
Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership is advising drivers, riders and pedestrians to take simple precautions, such as: choose brighter, lighter routes; take extra care to check for people crossing the road; take extra care to cross the road if walking; make sure you have lights and reflectors on bicycles and wear hi-visibility clothing if walking or riding bikes or motorcycles. The message is ‘be bright, be seen’ and stay safe.
The Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership has started the count down to the Carole Nash International Motorcycle and Scooter Show at the NEC, which runs between 27th November and 6th December this year. As usual, the Partnership will attend with colleagues from other regions and the exhibit will focus on the Right it Right routes campaign which has been promoted to bikers throughout Gloucestershire, for the last two years. Hope to see you there!
07.10.09 Drivers in Gloucestershire are being warned to slow down as rain hits the county after weeks of dry weather. A long period of dry weather can result in a layer of traffic film on the roads, which then gets slippery when wet. This, coupled with drivers having had the added confidence of dry roads for so long, often ends in cars skidding off the roads.
The advice is: slow down – reduce your speed; avoid heavy braking; anticipate where oil and gravel may collect, at junctions for example, and could lead to wheel spinning; and turn and manoeuvre gently. For more information about winter driving, see our Facts Sheets.
02.10.09 Chris Harrison has been appointed as Motorcycle Coordinator for the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership. Chris, who comes from a logistics and training and assessment background, has a passion for bikes of all shapes, sizes and ages, and enjoys taking his sports bike round Europe.
Following a ‘near miss’ wake up call whilst on his bike, Chris decided to undertake an advanced rider training course and passionately believes that additional training will benefit most riders. Chris will be responsible for meeting riders of powered two wheelers, and offering help and advice to keep safe on the roads. Chris can be contacted on 01452 425600.
