Day: December 9, 2020

NONE for the road

WATCH OUT FOR THE £70,000 DRINK

The UK’s largest independent road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, is today warning motorists of the severe financial penalty they could face as the consequence of a drink drive conviction.

The charity has calculated that the personal financial cost of drink driving could be as high as £70,000 or more when taking into account fines, legal fees, higher car insurance premiums, alternative transport costs and potential loss of earnings following conviction.

IAM RoadSmart’s research team found that costs following a drink drive conviction now include: fines of £5,000, although since these are now unlimited this could be much more; legal fees of £11,000 which is the average following conviction after a not-guilty plea; increased insurance premiums of £13,500 over five years after a driving disqualification; £2,000 for taxi and public transport costs for alternative transport during a ban; and £38,500 loss of earnings for 15 months following a conviction, based on an average UK salary.

Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy & Research, said: “In the run up to Christmas this year, many people’s drinking habits will have changed as a result of the coronavirus.

“So, whether you’re raising a glass for the festive season at home or, where you’re able, in a restaurant or pub, it’s important to remember that an extra drink comes with a huge hidden cost if it pushes you over the limit.”

Roads Minister, Baroness Vere, said: “Drink driving kills, so during the festive season don’t be tempted to have a drink before getting behind the wheel – it’s irresponsible and incredibly dangerous.

“We are working tirelessly, through schemes like our award winning THINK! campaign, to tackle attitudes and behaviours that could lead to people drink driving, and we continue to invest in policing and enforcement on our roads.”

 Neil continued: “Drink driving wrecks lives and is totally unacceptable in any circumstance. However, some people still think they are safe to drive when they’ve had just a couple of drinks or are using home measures, which can quickly push them over the limit.

“The £70,000 impact of being convicted of drink driving is very sobering. This should be more than enough, let alone the thought of causing any other suffering for yourself, your family or the other people you put at risk on the road, to stop those drivers who are tempted to have an extra drink and get behind the wheel.

“Our advice is therefore quite simply to always stick with ‘None for the Road’.”

To find out more visit www.iamroadsmart.com/drink-drive

Scottish Fire and Rescue: Stay safe from fire this festive season

THE public is being reminded to stay safe from fire this winter and support firefighters to identify vulnerable friends, family or neighbours who may need assistance.

An increased use of heating and electricity over the colder months combined with festive lights, trees, decorations, and candles can heighten the risk of a fire potentially taking hold.

It is also important that those who are over 50 and smoke and also live alone, have mobility issues or use oxygen, or those who are living with addiction are supported by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to reduce the risk.

The Service’s Make The Call campaign was launched earlier this year and appealed directly to the family, friends, and neighbours of those who are most at risk of fire to get in touch with SFRS on their behalf to request a free Home Fire Safety Visit by calling 0800 0731 999.

Latest figures show that 446 homes in Scotland were affected by accidental fires between December 9, 2019 and January 13, 2020 which sadly claimed the lives of six people and resulted in 56 casualties. 49 of those were in Edinburgh.

The statistics further highlight that of the 56 casualties, a total of 19 were aged 60 or over which is almost 34 per cent.

Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Ali Perry is the SFRS’ Head of Prevention and Protection. He said: “Every year we see an increase in the risk of fire in the home during the festive season and we want to support families across Scotland to stay safe at this time of year.

“One death because of a fire in the home is one too many and the aftermath of a fire can be absolutely devastating for those affected.

“That’s why we are reaching out to every community in Scotland this winter – please follow our advice and guidance to help us keep you safe and help us reach the most vulnerable and elderly people in our society.”

During a Home Fire Safety Visit SFRS staff will identify fire hazards and risks in the home, help plan escape routes and provide information about smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide alarms. All visits are carried out in-line with the local Scottish Government Covid-19 tier guidance and regulations.

DACO Perry says cooking and alcohol intake is one of the main causes of fire.

An overall increase in electricity use alongside the traditional use of candles, Christmas decorations and lights and portable heaters or traditional fuel burning fireplaces has also been linked to a heightened risk of fire.

Communities are being asked to follow SFRS’s safety advice which is widely available on the Service’s website or social media channels under the hashtag #SaferWinter2020

DACO Perry advised: “By just taking a few essential steps you can massively reduce the risk of a fire in your house. If you can’t get online, then get in touch with us through your local station who will be more than happy to offer help and guidance.

“We want everyone to remember this Christmas and New Year for all the right reasons. Taking a few minutes to look at our advice and identify the hazards in your own home can help keep you and those around you safe.”


Community Safety Minister Ash Denham said: “Please keep yourself and others safe over the festive period and follow the advice of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and act responsibly.

“I would urge people to Make the Call to SFRS if they think someone is particularly vulnerable and requires support to stay safe from fire within the home.” 

A free online home fire safety quiz is also available to everyone in Scotland.

The ‘Fire Safety in the Home – Self Assessment’ survey asks a series of simple questions and then automatically generates a home fire safety report unique to that household, including advice on how to rectify risks and problems.

To use the interactive tool, visit: https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/online-hfsv-checker.aspx

Visit https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/make-the-call.aspx for more information on SFRS’ Make the Call campaign.

For more advice on how to keep yourself and your home safe from fire during the festive season visit https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/festive-safety.aspx

Higher exams cancelled

Plans for the 2021 exam diet have been updated in light of continuing disruption to young people’s education caused by coronavirus (COVID-19).

Higher and Advanced Higher exams will not go ahead and will be replaced with awards based on teacher judgement of evidence of pupils’ attainment. The assessment model will be based on the approach already agreed for National 5 awards, details of which are being set out today.

Data shows that since the return to school in August, there have been varied instances of COVID-related disruption to learning, with a higher proportion of pupils from more deprived areas having to spend time out of school.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “In October, I said Highers and Advanced Highers would go ahead if it was safe and fair to do so. Since then, many pupils have suffered disruption because of COVID, as they were obliged to self-isolate or even saw their school closed. The level of disruption has, however, not been the same across the board – pupils in deprived areas have been hit hardest.

“While we hope that public health will improve in the coming months with the roll-out of the vaccine, we cannot guarantee that there will be no further disruption to pupils’ learning.

“Holding exams would run the risk of translating the unequal impact of COVID into unfair results for our poorest pupils, leading to their futures being blighted through no fault of their own. That is simply not fair.

“There will be no Higher or Advanced Higher exams in 2021. Instead we will adopt a new model that is based on the one developed for National 5 qualifications and make awards on teacher judgement of evidence of learner attainment. This approach is more flexible and takes account of the reality of the disruption so many pupils have already had to their learning.”

Mr Swinney also announced there will be an exceptional one-off payment to teachers and lecturers who are critical to assessing and marking National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses this year.

This is to recognise their additional workload of assessing national qualifications in this unique academic year in the absence of exams. The Scottish Government will work with partners and employers on the specifics of this payment. 

The National Qualifications 2021 group, led by the SQA and involving local authority directors of educations, the EIS, and others, have been working to develop the model for assessing National 5 qualifications. 

It involves teachers and lecturers working with the SQA to understand the standards required for national qualifications and how to apply this when grading pieces of evidence such as course work. No algorithm will be used, nor will learners’ awards be based on school past performance.

Results for learners will be awarded on 10 August.

The Deputy First Minister’s statement to Parliament on 8 December is here

Delivering National 5 results in 2020-21 – SQA