Road Safety Partnership

Motorcycle Meet in Matlock Bath

Bends and overtaking will be the hot topics at Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership's motorcycle meet on Sunday 7 August.

Visitors who get full marks in the partnership's motorcycle hot topic quiz will be entered in a free prize draw for the chance to win a hi-vis Rukka backpack.

The motorcycle meet will be taking place at Matlock Bath's Pavilion car park between 1pm and 4pm.

Andy Adlington, the partnership's motorcycle project officer, said: "Motorcyclists need to be at the top of their game when negotiating bends and overtaking. Our safety quiz encourages riders to prepare for the challenges they'll face when they're out on the road."

Andy added: "Motorcyclists love the Derbyshire countryside but too many of them are running into trouble. Our motorcycle meets give riders the opportunity to learn about training opportunities, share their views about safety and pick up a free copy of The Bikers' Guide to Derbyshire 2011."

The partnership holds monthly motorcycle meets in Matlock Bath throughout the leisure riding season (April to September). The final meet of 2011 will take place on Sunday 4 September. Visitors to the motorcycle meets can find out more about Derbyshire BikeSafe - a new course that teaches riders how to cope with the challenges they'll face on the road. Motorcyclists can enrol on the training for just £50. BikeSafe training was devised by police motorcyclists and is run by approved assessors. For more details about the course call Andy Adlington on 07827 308480.

Call Derbyshire on 08456 058 058 for a free copy of The Bikers' Guide to Derbyshire 2011 or download the pdf version here.

Highways Agency publishes Annual Report

The Highways Agency has published its annual report for 2010-11.

Chief Executive Graham Dalton said: "The Highways Agency has a world class reputation for its operation, maintenance and improvement of England's motorways and trunk roads.

"The report outlines how we aim to uphold this reputation by working in more efficient and effective ways while ensuring cost savings across the business."

The report also outlines what the agency is doing to encourage safe driving The agency has begun working with the Driving Standards Agency and the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation on publicity material and theory test questions that emphasise the importance of taking extra care when driving near roadworks.

Click here to read the report.

Crash rescue drama at Emergency Services Day

A crash rescue drama was staged by road safety partnership members at Derby Emergency Services Day.

The simulated rescue showed how firefighters, police and paramedics work together to save injured people who are trapped in a car.

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, East Midlands Ambulance Service and Derbyshire police joined forces to stage the event which also included live TV footage of a police helicopter demonstration and chip pan fire displays.

Victims' Commissioner calls for law to support bereaved families

Victims' Commissioner Louise Casey has called for a new law to support families who have been bereaved as a result of murder or 'culpable' road death.

The move follows a six-month review by Ms Casey into the experiences of bereaved families when dealing with the criminal justice system.

Louise Casey said: "Our survey shows that families get into debt, they suffer ill health and relationships can break down. Then on top of this a criminal justice process kicks in that can end up re-traumatising these people when they are least able to cope. That just can't be right."

Culpable road death includes death by dangerous driving, death by careless or inconsiderate driving, death by careless driving on drugs or alcohol, death by driving whilst unlicensed, uninsured, or disqualified, and death by aggravated vehicle-taking.

Casey's report says that families bereaved through culpable road deaths have the same needs as the families of murder victims although they are not provided for by the national homicide service. She recommends that, when funds become available, the government should make it a high priority for those bereaved by culpable road death to receive a service similar to the one she has proposed for those bereaved through murder.

New online directory of driving instructors

A free online service making it easy for learner drivers to find qualified instructors in their area has been launched today by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).

'Find your nearest driving instructors' is available on Directgov. It lists fully qualified driving instructors who have signed up to be listed, and allows users to search for instructors closest to them by typing in their postcode.

Learners will also be able to see if an instructor has signed up to the voluntary code of practice and if they are committed to continuing their professional development. The voluntary code of practice sets out the professional standards and business ethics expected of those working in the industry.

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said: "This new service will make life easier for learner drivers and parents looking for qualified instructors in their area. I hope that this will allow people to make more informed choices about who they want to teach them to drive."

Once qualified, approved instructors are tested regularly by DSA to ensure they are delivering the required standard of instruction, and are subject to ongoing enhanced criminal record checks. They display a green badge in their windscreen during lessons.

Trainee driving instructors will not be listed in the directory. However, trainee driving instructors can do a limited amount of teaching to gain experience and must display a pink badge in their windscreen to indicate that they are not yet fully qualified.

Find your nearest driving instructors at www.direct.gov.uk/finddrivinginstructor.