Sadly, statistics show that this is the time of year when Scotland’s road users are at their highest risk of being killed or seriously injured because the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Sometimes “just one drink” can push you over the legal limit and in turn have devastating consequences.
The video (below) from THINK road safety is a reminder that you should not succumb to peer pressure in social situations. Every life is worth more than any extra drink.
Speaking about the launch of a campaign to tackle this issue, our national Head of Road Policing Chief Superintendent Andy Edmonston said: “As we head towards summer there are many additional social events for people to attend, such as barbecues with family and friends or larger organised events such as town shows or village galas. All are perfect opportunities to socialise in relaxed surroundings and many people will take the opportunity to have an alcoholic drink.
“Whatever the occasion, as responsible individuals, we all have a duty to consider the amount of alcohol we consume if we intend on driving. It is important to remember that the measures of alcoholic drinks consumed at social events can be significantly more than pub measures. Unfortunately, people can get caught up in the moment and unintentionally or otherwise over-indulge in alcohol.
“Drivers must consider that even if you make alternative arrangements to get home after an event, you could be over the limit the next day, depending upon the amount you have had to drink. The effects of alcohol do not wear off immediately and drivers must be aware of this if they intend driving the following morning. Make sure you do not get caught out.
“Over the next week our increased visibility and activity throughout the country aims to reassure the public that drink/drug driving is highly dangerous and publicly unacceptable. If you choose to drink and drive or drive whilst unfit due to the effects of drugs there is a high likelihood that you will be caught.
“Our message is simple – the best approach is none.”
Police Scotland is committed to achieving the Scottish Government’s 2020 casualty reduction targets by tackling the risks associated with drink/drug driving and the campaign supports the service’s efforts to reduce road casualties.
Anyone with information on drink/drug drivers can contact Police Scotland on 999 in an emergency. Alternatively call 101 or Crimestoppers in complete anonymity on 0800 555 111
Nearly 70 people in Edinburgh have received the ‘chat on the mat’ as part of Operation Close Pass. The initiative sees drivers who pass an unmarked police cyclist too closely pulled over and given advice using a specially designed mat which shows how much space a person on a bicycle needs when overtaking them.Continue reading Operation Close Pass: Seventy motorists receive ‘chat on the mat’
Pupils and teachers across Edinburgh have joined a campaign to discourage inconsiderate parking at school gates. Granton, Flora Stevenson (above), Wardie and Ferryhill are among the local primary schools to sign up for the initiative.
Campaign highlights space needed to pass cyclists safely
Plain clothed police are taking to Edinburgh’s streets to highlight the space cyclists need for everyone to use our roads safely. Operation Close Pass will see drivers who pass an unmarked police cyclist too closely pulled over and given advice using a specially designed mat which shows how much space a person on a bicycle needs when overtaking them.Continue reading Police launch Operation Close Pass
The driving test will change from Monday 4 December 2017 to include following directions from a sat nav and testing different manoeuvres.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has confirmed that the driving test in England, Scotland and Wales will change from Monday 4 December 2017.
The changes are designed to make sure new drivers have the skills they’ll need to help them through a lifetime of safe driving. The changes will only apply to car driving tests to begin with.
The 4 driving test changes
1. Independent driving part of the test will increase to 20 minutes
The independent driving part of the test currently lasts around 10 minutes. During this part of the test, you have to drive without turn-by-turn directions from the driving examiner.
This part of the test will be made longer, so it’ll last around 20 minutes – roughly half of the test.
2. Following directions from a sat nav
During the independent driving part of the test, most candidates will be asked to follow directions from a sat nav.
The examiner will provide the sat nav and set it up. You won’t need to set the route – the examiner will do this for you. So, it doesn’t matter what make or model of sat nav you practise with.
You can’t follow directions from your own sat nav during the test – you have to use the one supplied by the examiner.
You’ll be able to ask the examiner for confirmation of where you’re going if you’re not sure. It won’t matter if you go the wrong way unless you make a fault while doing it.
One in 5 driving tests won’t use a sat nav. You’ll need to follow traffic signs instead.
3. Reversing manoeuvres will be changed
The ‘reverse around a corner’ and ‘turn-in-the-road’ manoeuvres will no longer be tested, but you should still be taught them by your instructor.
You’ll be asked to do one of 3 possible reversing manoeuvres:
parallel park at the side of the road
park in a bay – either driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out (the examiner will tell you which you have to do)
pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for 2 car lengths and rejoin the traffic
4. Answering a vehicle safety question while you’re driving
The examiner will ask you 2 vehicle safety questions during your driving test – these are known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions.
You’ll be asked the:
‘tell me’ question (where you explain how you’d carry out a safety task) at the start of your test, before you start driving
‘show me’ question (where you show how you’d carry out a safety task) while you’re driving – for example, showing how to wash the windscreen using the car controls and wipers
Watch how the new test will work
This video shows how the test will work from 4 December 2017.
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Road collisions are the biggest killer of young people. They account for over a quarter of all deaths of those aged between 15 and 19.
DVSA wants to make sure that training and the driving test reduce the number of young people being killed in collisions.
These changes are being made because:
most fatal collisions happen on high-speed roads (not including motorways) – changing the format of the test will allow more of these types of roads to be included in driving test routes
52% of car drivers now have a sat nav – DVSA wants new drivers to be trained to use them safely
research has shown that new drivers find independent driving training valuable – they can relate it to driving once they’ve passed their test
Changes are supported by the public
The changes follow a:
public consultation that over 3,900 people took part in
trial of the changes involving over 4,300 learner drivers and over 860 driving instructors
88.2% agreed with increasing the length of the independent driving part of the test
70.8% agreed with asking candidates to follow directions from a sat nav
78.6% agreed with the plans to change how the reversing manoeuvres are test
78.4% agreed with asking the ‘show me’ question while the candidate is driving
Helping you through a lifetime of safe driving
Transport Minister, Andrew Jones, said: “Our roads are among the safest in the world. However, road collisions are the biggest killer of young people.
“These changes will help us to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads and equip new drivers with the skill they need to use our roads safely.”
DVSA Chief Executive, Gareth Llewellyn, said: “DVSA’s priority is to help you through a lifetime of safe driving.
“Making sure the driving test better assesses a driver’s ability to drive safely and independently is part of our strategy to help you stay safe on Britain’s roads.
“It’s vital that the driving test keeps up to date with new vehicle technology and the areas where new drivers face the greatest risk once they’ve passed their test.”
In light of ongoing issues of motorcycle crime and anti-social behaviour, amongst other things, please don’t forget about two free Theatre shows coming up next week – BETTER LATE THAN DEAD–Broughton High School on Tuesday 28th March, 7pm, and North Edinburgh Arts Centre on Wednesday 29th March, 4pm.
These tackle the issues of driving, walking and road safety and are open to all ages.
Just a short note to bring your attention to a road safety theatre production which is being delivered in Broughton High School on Tuesday 28th March at 7pm. It’s a free event (refreshments provided as well) and is open to all ages as well as local adults or school staff.
Given the amount of concerns about accidents/road crimes/road safety etc. I think we’ve timed this perfectly and it should be of huge benefit to the local area.
If you’ve any queries please don’t’ hesitate to give myself, Helen Bourquin or Elaine Lennon (both copied into this email for your info) a shout and we’ll do what we can to answer them!
Best wishes
Callum
Callum McLeod |Community Learning & Development Worker | Schools and Lifelong Learning | Communities and Families| City of Edinburgh Council |Broughton High School , 29 East Fettes Ave, Edinburgh, EH4 1EG | | Tel: 0131 332 6316 | Email: Callum.mcleod@ea.edin.sch.uk| Web: www.edinburgh.gov.uk | CLD Web: www.joininedinburgh.org
Mascots from Hibs and Hearts joined 20mph ‘champion’ The Reducer, local politicians and officers from Police Scotland on the track at Meadowbank Sports Centre yesterday to mark the kick-off of the latest stage in Edinburgh’s rollout of slower speeds in residential and shopping streets. Continue reading Mascots kick off Phase 2 of 20mph rollout
Motorists using a phone while driving will receive 6 points on their licence and a £200 fine
Drivers caught using a phone within two years of passing their test will have their licence revoked under new rules which come into force today. Penalities for using a phone at the wheel will also double to six points and a £200 fine.Continue reading Hang up: crackdown on phone use while driving
