Tag: community safety

Streets Ahead: City’s young drivers learn risks and responsibilities

Hundreds of new and aspiring young motorists are being given a thought-provoking insight into the risks and responsibilities faced by drivers this week.

Pupils from Royal High School are shown a car damaged by a crash, to find out more about irresponsible driving.

Sixth-year pupils from schools across the Capital are taking part in the ninth annual Streets Ahead Edinburgh Young Driver event, which aims to raise awareness of the dangers posed to newly-qualified drivers.

Amongst the hard-hitting, interactive activities highlighting the potential hazards of driving are the opportunities to try on drunk goggles, crash simulator headsets and seatbelt slides. Pupils will also watch dash-cam footage from Police Scotland and immerse themselves in Digby Brown Solicitors’ ‘mock court’, which recreates the aftermath of a road traffic collision.

The ever-popular event, which is attended by more than 2400 pupils from 31 schools, is hosted by Forth 1 DJ Grant Thomson and is jointly run by all partners in Streets Ahead Edinburgh: the City of Edinburgh Council, Police Scotland, NHS Lothian, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Scottish Safety Camera Unit (East).

The event is supported by Digby Brown Solicitors with other participants including the Scottish Ambulance Service, British Transport Police, Brain Rehabilitation Trust and Child Brain Injury Trust.e

Returning this year to speak to the young drivers is Laura Torrance. Laura, 35, has been a wheelchair user since 1999 when she was seriously injured in a car accident at the age of 16.

As well as thought-provoking presentations and interactive activities, sixth-year pupils attending the four-day event will learn about Operation Close Pass, which demonstrates safe distances for overtaking a cyclist on the road and, thanks to participation from Edinburgh Trams and Lothian, will get the chance to sit behind the wheel of a stationary electric bus to highlight driver visibility first hand.

Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “It’s fantastic to see so many young people engaged in this event, which every year helps highlight the importance of safe and responsible driving amongst some of our youngest and least experienced motorists.

“The interactive element may be fun, but there’s no ignoring the hard-hitting messages it conveys. As a Council, we are committed to keeping everyone safe from the risk of being killed or seriously injured on our roads, and the Young Driver event is a great way of instilling this ethos in the next generation of drivers.”

Inspector Roger Park from the Road Policing Unit in Edinburgh said: “We believe it is vital to engage with young people who have recently passed their driving test, who are working towards their test and who are looking to start driving for the first time.

“Police Scotland are pleased to be supporting this important event and to be working closely with our partners in a multi-agency approach to promote safe driving. We hope that giving young people advice and guidance will give them an insight that will help them be safe on the roads.

“There is also a safety message to all drivers, as reducing the number of people seriously injured or killed on our roads is a key priority for Police Scotland and Edinburgh Division. We want everyone, young or otherwise, to be aware of the dangers of speeding, drink driving and driving under the influence of drugs. Awareness will contribute to reducing casualties in the future.”

Kenny Rogers, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Local Senior Officer for the City of Edinburgh, said: “Young drivers need to be equipped with the knowledge to stay safe on our roads and this event provides a great opportunity for all emergency partners to talk about the potential dangers of being behind the wheel of a car.

“It’s important to show young people how they can take measures to avoid being in a collision in the first place.”

For live updates from the event, check out Edinburgh Young Drivers on Twitter @edinyoungdriver and follow the hashtag #edinyd.

Young drivers: The facts

Young drivers are much more likely to be involved in an accident than older drivers. 17-25 year-olds account for 10% of licence holders, but over 20% of accidents.

The types of accidents which young drivers are involved in are different from older, more experienced drivers. Young drivers are more likely to be involved in:

  • Single vehicle accidents
  • Accidents as a result of the driver losing control of the vehicle

Find out more about the Young Drivers event online.

Scots want tougher controls on fireworks

Public concerns over animal welfare highlighted

A clear majority of Scots want to see tighter controls on the use and sale of fireworks.

A YouGov survey commissioned by the Scottish government and involving a representative sample of the Scottish population, showed 71% of adults supported tighter controls on the sale of fireworks to the public, with over half backing a ban.

And out of more than 16,000 respondents to a Scottish Government consultation on the issue:

  • 94% want to see tighter controls on the sale of fireworks
  • 93% want to see stronger regulations to ensure animals are not caused unnecessary suffering as a result of fireworks misuse
  • 92% feel there should be tighter controls on fireworks use
  • 87% would support an outright ban on the sale of fireworks

Concerns over the impact of fireworks on those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and autism were also highlighted.

Community Safety Minister Ash Denham said: “The results of our consultation and survey demonstrate overwhelming public support for a change in how fireworks are sold and used.

“While legislation on the sale of fireworks is reserved to Westminster, I will work with stakeholders to look at the powers we have to drive forward action to reduce the damage caused by fireworks misuse.

“The consultation also highlighted the wider harm that can be caused to members of our communities, including our ex-service people and those with underlying mental health issues. The serious distress and occasional injury caused to animals around times of celebration has also been highlighted as a specific concern.

“I will update Parliament shortly on our intended action to ensure fireworks are used safely and appropriately.”

Scottish SPCA head of education and policy Gilly Mendes Ferreira said: “We’re pleased so many members of the public have voiced their opinion and cited animal welfare as one of the reasons to restrict the public sale and use of fireworks. For years we have supported tighter restrictions on public use due to the stress and anxiety that can be caused to animals.

“Over the years the Scottish SPCA has received a handful of calls relating to an animal that has been injured due to the direct misuse of fireworks. The majority of calls relate to animals that have become injured through trying to escape the noise of fireworks.

“Incidents include dogs running on to roads and being hit by oncoming traffic, birds, such as swans, flying into electricity pylons and horses being badly injured after running through barbed wire fences. We will continue to work closely with the Scottish Government to improve animal welfare surrounding the use of fireworks.”

The Scottish Government’s consultation on fireworks ran for 13 weeks and received 16,420 responses from members of the public and stakeholder organisations. The process included 29 public events around Scotland.

A consultation on fireworks in Scotland: your experiences, your ideas, your views. Analysis of responses to the public consultation exercise

 

Firefighters inspire next generation of potential life-savers

Crewe Toll firefighters are helping shape the futures of young pupils by training them as potential life-savers.

As part of an ongoing commitment to help protect and inspire communities, the Community Action Team has teamed up with a range of partners to launch  an initiative designed to enhance lives and improve employment prospects. Continue reading Firefighters inspire next generation of potential life-savers

Sharp rise in Scotland’s crime figures

Violent crime in Scotland has risen by 10% in the year to last March, official figures revealed yesterday. It’s the highest level for seven years, with a 16% rise in robberies.

The figures show there was also an 8% increase in sexual crimes, including rape, to  to the highest level ever recorded.

Despite these statistics the Scottish Government says violent crime is much lower than a decade ago. Continue reading Sharp rise in Scotland’s crime figures

One in four Edinburgh homes is unsafe, says gas industry organisation

Confusion amongst carers puts vulnerable at risk

  • Gas Safe Register calls on people to protect themselves and loved ones by getting clued up on gas safety.
  • 1 in 4 homes in Edinburgh have unsafe gas appliances, according to latest inspection figures.
  • Renowned Bad Nana author, Sophy Henn, creates new book to boost gas safety awareness and understanding.

Confusion amongst carers about the signs of unsafe gas appliances could be putting vulnerable people at risk, according to research released today by Gas Safe Register.

The findings are particularly worrying as new data from the Register reveals that 1 in 4 Edinburgh homes contains unsafe gas appliances such as cookers, fires and boilers, compared to 1 in 5 across the UK.

The research involved people in Edinburgh who care for or check in on an elderly or disabled loved one who doesn’t live with them. Three quarters (75%) of these said safety was a key reason for checking in on their vulnerable loved one. Yet 88% of those surveyed in Edinburgh don’t know at least one of the crucial signs that a gas appliance is unsafe.

Over half (53%) don’t know that a lazy yellow flame on appliances such as cookers is a warning sign. Two thirds (66%) were unaware that increased condensation inside windows is a red flag, and over half (54%) didn’t know to look out for sooty stains on or around appliances such as cookers.

There is also evidence of confusion around the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. More than two fifths (43%) of respondents didn’t know that breathlessness is a symptom, more than a third (36%) were unaware that nausea can be a sign of poisoning and almost a third (30%) were unaware that headaches can mean an appliance is emitting carbon monoxide.

The survey also revealed the extent to which vulnerable people may not be protected by an audible carbon monoxide alarm. 12% of those surveyed said they weren’t sure if the person they care for has an audible carbon monoxide alarm and, more worryingly, 13% said they know their loved one doesn’t have one.

This Gas Safety Week (16-22 September 2019), Gas Safe Register – the UK’s official registration body for gas engineers and gas businesses – is urging people to protect themselves and their loved ones by familiarising themselves with the signs and symptoms of unsafe gas appliances.

The key signs are:

  • Floppy yellow or orange flames on gas appliances, such as cookers, instead of a bright blue one
  • Increased condensation inside windows
  • The pilot light repeatedly going out or the boiler fails to light
  • Black or sooty marks on or around your gas appliances
  • Feeling unwell – the six main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are: headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness

To help raise awareness, the Register has partnered with best-selling children’s author, Sophy Henn, to create a short story based on the original ‘Bad Nana’ series,’ Bad Nana: Better Gas Safe Than Sorry’. 

The book sees Jeanie aged 7 ¾, and her annoying little brother Jack help her nan (aka Bad Nana) save a neighbour from carbon monoxide poisoning, after spotting the signs and symptoms. The book’s aim is to bring the issue to the attention of families and the people they care for, all delivered with Sophy’s signature dose of fun.

Jonathan Samuel, Chief Executive, Gas Safe Register said: “Those who look after others care deeply about their safety and wellbeing and feel a lot of responsibility.

“We don’t want to add to the list of things to worry about, but we want to raise awareness of the signs of unsafe appliances. Unsafe appliances can be deadly and knowing the warning signs can protect you and your loved ones from harm.”

Sophy Henn said: “I’m delighted to be working with Gas Safe Register. I don’t want to give too much of the plot away, but Bad Nana and Jeanie have a very eventful day when they check on an elderly friend who has been behaving strangely.

“My hope is that this book will entertain children, parents, grandparents and carers alike, while at the same time spreading an important message about gas safety.”

The Bad Nana: Better Gas Safe Than Sorry book is available online at bit.ly/Gas-Safe-Story along with further information about gas safety and details of how to ensure the gas work on your home is safe.

Gas Safe Register is the official list of gas businesses who are registered to work safely and legally on boilers, cookers, fires and all other gas appliances. By law all gas engineers must be on the Gas Safe Register.

bad-nana_better-gas-safe-than-sorry

Police Advice: Summer Sessions in Princes Street Gardens

SUMMER SESSIONS PRINCES STREET GARDENS

Are you heading to one of the concerts in Edinburgh?

Check out the site map attached and please read the advice from the event organisers ahead of the gig:

  • Plan ahead your travel using
  • There are two entrances to the site so please use both (the box office is located at the East Entrance and you should use this if you need to collect a ticket)
  • There will be security on entry so please expect searches and queues on entry
  • Bag searches will be in place – please don’t bring a bag larger than A3 as it won’t be permitted
  • Be prepared for all weather conditions as the weather is very unpredictable – umbrellas are not permitted
  • If you feel unwell, please seek help immediately from a member of festival staff or a steward

For full event info visit the Summer Sessions website – http://ow.ly/n6iM50vpkYC

Dog control legislation not fit for purpose, say MSPs

MSPs on the Public Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny Committee have today said that current dog control legislation isn’t fit for purpose and called on the Scottish Government to undertake a comprehensive review of all dog control laws immediately. Continue reading Dog control legislation not fit for purpose, say MSPs