Tag: road safety campaign

Edinburgh nursery children reminded to go safe with Ziggy

Local nursery children in Edinburgh were treated to a special visit from Road Safety Scotland character Ziggy this week, to remind them of the importance of staying safe on our roads.

Ziggy visited children at three local nurseries; Pentland Nursery, Wester Coates Nursery School and Little Learners Nursery.

The visits were part of a road safety tour of Early Learning & Childcare Centres (ELCs) designed to equip young children with skills, knowledge and attitudes to help keep them safe on our roads now and later in life.

Together with Ziggy – an alien visiting Earth to learn about road safety – children enjoyed an interactive performance which brings to life road safety messages combining song, role play and crafts.

Multiple immersive learning activity stations, including card games, tested children on their understanding of road safety symbols, noises they’d hear on the roads, and steps to take to cross the road safely. A playmat featuring a town-scape including traffic lights and a zebra crossing also reinforced road safety skills through imaginative play.

Alison Hawkins, Head at Wester Coates Nursery school, said: “The children were very delighted to welcome Ziggy to Wester Coates Nursery School.

“Visits such as these reinforce our own road safety programme, strengthening the important road safety messages we teach and practice. Having fun with Ziggy was a great reminder about safety.”

Debbie Nicol, Assistant Director, Road Safety Scotland, said: “It is important that children are immersed in positive road safety attitudes from a young age, both in the classroom and at home, and we know that early experiences shape children’s future behaviour.

“Ziggy is a fun character with an important message and visits like these help create lasting memories about road safety.”

The Ziggy tour will include visits to Early Learning & Childcare Centres across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Fife, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire, Dundee and Renfrewshire.

Written by children’s author Lynda Kennedy and illustrated by Lynn Taylor, the Go Safe with Ziggy books are a free resource available to all Early Learning and Childcare centres and Primary 1 classes in Scotland, and parents, carers and teachers have access to online resources and activity ideas. The Ziggy series is also available in Scots and Gaelic.

Books can be ordered for free on roadsafety.scot/ziggy-order.

For more information about Go Safe with Ziggy, visitroadsafety.scot/ziggy-online.

Details are also available on Road Safety Scotland’s social media channels: Facebook @roadsafetyscotland and X @RoadSafetyScot.

Road safety campaign urges drivers to keep their minds on the road

A new Road Safety Scotland and Scottish Government campaign is urging drivers in Edinburgh to keep their minds on the road, warning that even a moment’s distraction can lead to devastating consequences.

The campaign also highlights how far a vehicle can travel in just a second or two when concentration slips, with drivers unaware of the danger they pose to themselves and fellow road users. 

It reveals that:

The warning follows research showing 80 per cent1 of road users, including drivers and pedestrians, admitted their mind had wandered while using the road.

A total of 42 per cent2 admitted they had zoned out on a journey and couldn’t quite remember how they got to their destination.

The consequences of lack of proper attention can be devastating, with over one in five distracted drivers reporting a collision with another vehicle (16 per cent3) or a pedestrian (5 per cent3).

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop urged all road users to keep their minds on the road: “All road users, but especially drivers, have a responsibility to stay focused on the road and make sure they are aware of other road users at all times.

“This research shows how easy it is for both drivers and pedestrians to become distracted, and the consequences of these distractions have the potential to be devasting. It’s important to ensure our attention always remains firmly on the road.”

The impact of everyday distractions on drivers and pedestrians was reflected in the research behind the campaign. Of the road users who said they experienced distraction, over a third (38 per cent4) said thinking about other activities, tasks and plans was a regular cause.

After weather, drivers cited not knowing their route well (36 per cent), being tired (32 per cent), being in a hurry (25 per cent), and being worried or stressed (23 per cent) as the things that affect them most while driving.

The campaign is encouraging drivers and pedestrians across Edinburgh to reflect on their own journeys and the everyday distractions that can take their attention away from the road.

The Scotland-wide campaign will run across TV, radio, digital and outdoor channels.

For more information visit roadsafety.scot.  

New campaign warns young drivers in Edinburgh that speed kills

“Real Roads Don’t Reset”, warns a powerful new gaming-themed campaign to tackle speeding among young drivers, launched today by the Scottish Government, Road Safety Scotland and Police Scotland. 

Around 1 in 5 newly qualified drivers are involved in a collision within the first year behind the wheel, while nearly 1 in 3 drivers killed while speeding are aged 16-25.

Spanning TV, streaming services, cinema, outdoor and digital advertising, supported by content from influencers, football and rugby partnerships and PR, the campaign reminds young people that unlike their favourite games, there are no second chances on real roads and the consequences of dangerous driving can be devastating. 

It also highlights the tougher legal penalties for drivers in the first two years after passing their tests. 

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “When you speed, you’re risking not only your own life but those of your passengers and everyone else on the road.

“A collision can happen no matter how good a driver you think you are. One moment of lost control can cost you everything – leaving you with a life-changing injury, the loss of someone close, or even a prison sentence.

“A single avoidable mistake can leave you with a lifetime of regret.” 

Chief Superintendent Scott McCarren, Police Scotland’s Head of Road Policing, said: “Skills behind the wheel of a car in a racing game have absolutely nothing to do with your ability in a real car.

“In real life, countless factors are at play including the weather, road conditions, weight of the car, number of passengers and the behaviour of other drivers on the road. Even a small error of judgement could have permanent consequences.” 

He emphasised the particular dangers of speeding on rural routes: “Young drivers often assume country roads are quieter and safer but that’s far from the reality. Rural roads are unpredictable, with blind bends, hidden dips, farm vehicles, animals, poor lighting, and sudden hazards. 

“Don’t assume you won’t be caught speeding because the road seems empty. Our officers are on patrol across the country, and you could face a fine, points, or you may have your license revoked. Don’t be the driver no one wants to get in the car with.” 

An initial phase of the campaign focused on the dangers of drink and drug-driving, tying in with Police Scotland’s annual festive enforcement campaign.  

For more information visit roadsafety.scot. 

Operation Slow Time: Police report on Capital road safety campaign

Since the start of May 2022 and over the course of around 40 days, police officers working in south east Edinburgh have carried out proactive road safety work. This proactive work has taken place at least 60 different locations.

The road safety work has been in response to community complaints, identified areas of concern and ensuring children are kept safe walking and cycling to and from school.

Our road safety work consisted of:

👉 Before and after school patrols

👉 Roadside speed checks

👉 General road safety stops

👉 Proactive moving checks of vehicles

👉 Operation Closepass (overtaking cyclists safety)

👉 Ensuring the safety of young people participating in the bike bus

👉 Security bike marking events

👉 Roadside breath tests

👉 Police cycle patrols

👉 Partnership working with our colleagues at Edinburgh City Council and in our Road Policing Unit.

As a result of our activity, we have reported over 50 offences (some motorists were charged with multiple offences) and engaged with well over 100 motorists, offering educational road safety advice on a variety of matters.

Sergeant Grant Robertson, South East Community Policing Team said “we remain committed to keeping your roads safe. We will continue to carry out proactive road safety work across the area alongside our partners.

“Whilst we acknowledge the majority of motorists drive responsibly, everybody has a part to play in keeping our roads safe. You can help by driving to the road speed, but importantly road conditions along with parking responsibly and considerately. Cyclists are vulnerable road users, so please give them plenty space when overtaking, at least 1.5 metres.

“Cyclists should remember that all road restrictions also apply to them. This includes traffic lights on red. Please stop and wait, do not cycle past a traffic light on red. This places you and other road users at unnecessary risk.”

You can follow our work on twitter at @EdinPolSE and look for #OpSlowTime.

Fatigue Wake-Up Call for Scotland’s Drivers

New campaign warns drivers: Driving Tired Kills

A powerful new campaign by The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland* to tackle the serious issue of driver fatigue, launched today with a clear message for all drivers – Driving Tired Kills.

Fatigue is a contributory factor in crashes which kill or seriously injure around 50 people every year in Scotland.1

In 2018, 14 people died on Scotland’s roads due to fatigue (nine per cent of all road deaths),2 however experts estimate that the real figure is much higher, with up to 30 per cent of all collisions involving driver fatigue.3

Sleep related collisions are around 50 per cent more likely to result in death or serious injury as they tend to be high speed impacts.4

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson said: “We are committed to achieving safer road travel in Scotland for everyone. Driver fatigue is a severe problem that causes too many serious and fatal road collisions each year.

“Drivers should plan their journeys well in advance, ensure they are well rested before setting out and take breaks every two hours. It’s simple yet powerful advice which can help save many lives on Scotland’s roads.”

Many of the counter measures drivers use (opening a window, turning up the radio) have been shown to be ineffective. A two second micro-sleep at 30 mph can result in complete transition from one lane to the next and you will be unable to notice or react to a child stepping out on the road5. 

Sleep expert Christine Poulter, honorary strategic clinical advisor, Society of Occupational Medicine said: “Fatigue is a major safety issue on our roads. Sleep deprivation can result in micro-sleeps at the wheel causing fatalities for the driver, passengers and other unsuspecting road users or pedestrians.

“Most adults require between seven to nine hours sleep every night; five hours sleep is not enough to function safely. It’s important to keep regular sleep patterns when you can, especially if you are working shifts. Going to bed and getting up at roughly the same time, will programme your body to sleep better to help combat fatigue.”

Drivers often experience early signs of feeling tired such as yawning, eyes dropping and head-nodding, and should stop for a rest as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Blair Boyd, workplace fatigue expert and chartered health and safety practitioner said: “Having felt the effects of fatigue while working shifts, I would never get behind the wheel when tired.  The consequences are just too great. 

“The effects of fatigue are comparable to driving under the influence of alcohol, which we would not accept in society.   With better education and understanding, employers can work to reduce the risk of driver fatigue by planning and managing workloads and shift patterns.”

The new multi-media marketing campaign will run on multiple channels including TV, digital, outdoor, radio, PR and social media.

The thought-provoking advertising features a striking close-up of a tired driver’s eye, with the road ahead reflected in it. After a long blink, the road reappears in the eye, however the car drifts towards the centre of the road as the eye droops further and finally remains closed, resulting in a head on collision with another car and devastating consequences.

For more information visit roadsafety.scot/fatigue or check out the Road Safety Scotland Facebook and Twitter (@roadsafetyscot) pages.

Police launch motorcycle safety campaign

Police Scotland has launched its annual campaign to ensure the safety of motorcyclists using Scotland’s roads with a weekend of action across the country.

Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users and while they make up just one per cent of the traffic on our roads they account for around 13 per cent of fatalities.

Police Scotland is committed to improving road safety through targeted campaign activity to raise awareness of the risks to vulnerable road users.

During the summer months, increased focus is given to motorcycle safety as larger numbers of motorcyclists take their bikes out to take advantage of the good weather.

As such, Road Policing Officers are urging motorists to be extra vigilant for motorcycles during their journeys and ensure they give sufficient room when following or overtaking bikers.

Similarly, drivers are reminded to continually check for motorcycles when moving off, or emerging from junctions.

Riders also have an important role to play in ensuring their own safety by travelling at an appropriate speed for the road, weather and traffic conditions, wearing high-visibility clothing and always wearing a helmet and other appropriate attire.

In previous years, officers would hold engagement events at various locations for motorcycle riders. However, due to the current physical distancing guidelines, such large-scale events are not possible at this time.

Anyone wishing to obtain information on how they can stay safe on Scotland’s roads should access the road safety information and guidance available on the Police Scotland or Road Safety Scotland websites.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1281597838808555520

Superintendent Simon Bradshaw from Police Scotland’s Road Policing Division, said: “As we have seen in the past few weeks, Scotland has experienced some glorious weather, and similar dry and sunny spells are expected throughout the rest of the summer.

“This means that increased traffic on our roads is likely, including a larger number of motorcyclists.

“With that in mind, it is essential that all drivers are mindful of other road users and pay particular attention for motorbikes. Likewise, they must ensure their behaviour behind the wheel does not put riders, or anyone else, at risk.

“Motorcyclists must also play their part in keeping themselves safe and I would urge motorcyclists to always ride responsibly, ensuring they wear all the necessary safety clothing and travel at safe speeds, appropriate to the conditions they face.

“Road Policing Officers will continue to monitor the road network across the country and any offences we observe will be dealt with appropriately, be it educating drivers and riders or taking enforcement action.

“Please help us in our efforts to reduce road casualties and fatalities by taking all relevant safety precautions when driving or riding. If you would like advice and guidance on how to stay safe on Scotland’s roads then please visit our website at www.scotland.police.uk or Road Safety Scotland at https://roadsafety.scot “