25.11.09 Gloucestershire’s new Road Safety Partnership was only launched in March, but already its reputation is spreading far and wide.  A film crew from Poland spent two days with members of the partnership filming a feature on good driving habits to show motorists back home some of the ideas used in other countries to improve safety on the roads. It’s one of a series of films sponsored by Polish car maker Skoda. Spokesman Tomasz Piasny said, “The idea is to go to other countries in Europe to meet experts, policemen, ordinary drivers who tell the story of road safety in their countries.

“We look for statistics and best practices in terms of teaching/instructing driving licence applicants, unique ideas that improve safety a lot and to show Polish viewers (drivers, authorities…etc.) that there are many ideas that improve safety that have been applied abroad for a long time now”.

The film covered SAGE; the older drivers’ assessment, the driver improvement course, the drink drive rehabilitation course, as well as Gloucestershire Constabulary’s Roads Policing Team and Fire and Rescue services.

23.11.09 During “Road Safety” week, the Road Safety Partnership will be undertaking a range of activities, including:

• Organising and delivering a major occupational road risk day for all staff at E-on, Gloucester. Partnership work involving the private sector, Police, Fire and Rescue and Road Safety.
• Organising and delivering a road risk workshop for drivers working for Young Gloucestershire. Three hour theory session followed by practical driver assessments.
• Running two drink drive rehabilitation courses – one on Monday, and another on Saturday. Both happen to be the last day of four day courses. Clients will have been with us for 20 hours.
• Concluding a driver improvement course that took place on Friday and Saturday 20/21^st.
• Assessing about 10 drivers on various themes could include assessing older drivers through our SAGE scheme, TAXI Drivers, company drivers, etc.
• Developing and consulting on a local scheme to advise drivers to change behaviour at a junction.
• Supporting a joint road safety operation in Gloucester, between the residents and police.
• Attending the first few days of the International Motorcycle and Scooter Show at the NEC, discussing the “ride it right” routes in Gloucestershire and the training opportunities available to riders.
• Providing cycle training at Heywood and Bournside Secondary schools, as well at Calton Junior School in Gloucester.
• Visiting Berry Hill Primary school to talk to years 3 and 6 about pedestrian and cycle safety, and Whaddon Youth Club on the evening of the 24^th November.
• Road Safety Officers will also be visiting Wyedean School over two consecutive days to discuss road safety with year 10 students.

11.11.09 When ladies from Gloucester’s Muslim community decided they should “get on their bikes”, the Partnership had no idea it would prove so popular! Whether new to two wheels or more experienced cyclists, the ladies have been enjoying regular lessons from a team of women instructors have helped them become much safer and more confident road users.  Some could even become instructors themselves as they are getting additional training to help them get non-cyclists up and running.

Don Muir, the Partnership’s cycling coordinator said, “Women generally feel more intimidated by today’s traffic conditions, while minority groups can have more cultural barriers to taking up this type of training. That makes it a double challenge for these ladies and we are doing all we can to help them get the training they need to develop the skills to overcome those barriers”.

The scheme was launched in conjunction with Amina Kathrada at the Friendship Café in Barton Street; and Bren McInerney at the Barton and Tredworth Community Trust.