Tag: road safety

Police issue safety warning following Pilton road accident

DrylawPolice

Police in North Edinburgh are urging local youngsters and their parents to heed a safety warning following a recent road accident in West Pilton that has left a 15-year-old in a critical condition in hospital.

Enquiries are ongoing and police are appealing for witnesses after two males riding on a motorbike collided with a car in West Pilton Gardens at around 5.40pm last Tuesday evening (22 April).

Inspector David Happs, who is based at Drylaw Police Station, said: “The dangers in riding a high-powered motorcycle without the relevant training, experience or protective headgear are clear.

“We have charged several young people over recent months in connection with the dangerous and antisocial riding of motorbikes in the area, but a small minority of local young people continue to cause disruption to their local community.

“We are committed to tackling this antisocial and dangerous activity and officers have this week visited a number of local young people and their parents to reiterate this safety message and highlight the danger these young people are placing themselves and others in.”

Police Scotland acknowledges the strong feelings in the local community regarding the motorcycle issue and Inspector Happs is keen to reassure residents that the force is continuing efforts to identify those involved in such incidents and is urging members of the public to report any relevant information to the police.

He added: “Given the increased risk to the rider and other members of the public, the circumstances in which we will pursue a motorcycle in a police vehicle are rare. However, we have and will continue to make appropriate use of the police helicopter, other specialist and plain-clothed police resources, as well as CCTV and other evidential opportunities to identify the riders and investigate any offences committed.

“Many of the bikes involved are stolen from elsewhere in the city and I would also encourage motorcycle owners to take what reasonable steps they can to prevent their bike from being stolen. We continue to respond to calls from the public providing information on the location of hidden motorcycles, and we work with local Council teams to locate the bikes to prevent further misuse.

“There is a wide range of diversionary activities and facilities in the local area for young people and we work closely with these groups, the City of Edinburgh Council, Total Craigroyston and other agencies to develop longer term strategies to reduce the offending behaviour and danger to the local community.”

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or, alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Campaign launched to ensure city cyclists are seen

HI VIZ: Police cyclists on patrol

A new campaign and series of roadshows to cut the city’s cycle casualty rate was launched at the Western General Hospital this morning. It’s hoped the campaign will encourage both cyclists to ‘light up’ and motorists to be extra aware of cyclists – particularly at junctions.

More than half of Edinburgh’s cycle casualties in November, December and January happen during the hours of darkness. Meanwhile, almost 50% of serious injuries sustained by cyclists in the Capital between 2006 and 2010 were linked to other vehicles carrying out turning manoeuvres.  So while cyclists should take extra care to be seen, it is equally important that motorists take extra care to look out for cyclists as they turn at junctions.

Run by the Streets Ahead partnership, the campaign will reinforce these messages in a bid to cut the cycle casualty rate this winter.

The visibility campaign urges cyclists to make sure they are seen on the roads during the winter months by wearing high visibility clothing and ensuring their bikes are fitted with lights and reflectors.

Councillor Jim Orr, Vice Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee, said: “Cycling is a safe and healthy way to travel and as a Council we are committed to encouraging bike use. However, too many Edinburgh cyclists are still taking a cavalier approach to visibility, in particular by cycling without lights. Apart from being unsafe, this contravenes the Highway Code and undermines the goodwill of the motorists we cyclists share the roads with.

“As a keen cyclist, I’m always properly kitted out with high visibility kit and lights. This new joint campaign will reinforce the visibility message with free samples and timely tips on how cyclists can keep themselves safe. My message for all road users  – motorists and cyclists alike – is to take special care to look out for each other during the darker winter months and make sure you are visible and brightly lit.”

In addition to the marketing and advertising campaign launched today, a cycling safety roadshow aimed at both cyclists and motorists will tour University of Edinburgh and NHS buildings over the coming days to coincide with the clocks going back at the weekend.

Cyclists will be given free bike lights and information leaflets and advice, and free bike checks by The Bike Station and bike security marking by Lothian and Borders Police are also on offer.

Superintendent David Carradice of Lothian and Borders Police said: “Edinburgh, like many cities in the UK has numerous cyclists travelling on the road network as they make their way to work, school, or who use their bikes recreationally. The road conditions change dramatically during the autumn and winter months, with increased hours of darkness and more challenging road conditions to face.

“It is therefore extremely important for cyclists to take the appropriate steps to ensure their safety. “The cycle safety road shows will provide cyclists with all the necessary advice and guidance on keeping themselves safe while out on the road. Lothian and Borders Police and their partner agencies are committed to promoting cycle safety and reducing the number of casualties on our roads.”

Emma Crowther, Transport and Parking Manager at the University of Edinburgh, said: “Huge numbers of our staff and students cycle to University and we want to make sure they continue to do so through the darker winter months – but safely. Over the last few weeks in the run-up to this campaign we have been spreading awareness of the importance of bike lights and high-viz clothing. Motorists also have their part to play in taking special care to look out for cyclists and we will be relaying this message to drivers.”

Ian Maxwell from Spokes, the Lothian Cycle Campaign, said: “Many people continue to cycle all year round in Edinburgh and this campaign emphasises that winter commuting is just as feasible if you wear appropriate clothing (warm, but in zippable layers so that you can avoid overheating) and use lights after dark.  In recent years the traffic counts by Spokes in May and November have shown almost no decrease in cycling in November compared with May.”

Dr Graham MacKenzie, Consultant in Public Health, NHS Lothian, said: “Cycling is a great way to stay active and improve your health. It is important that people cycle safely at all times and NHS Lothian would urge cyclists to make sure they are seen on the roads during the winter months. It’s vital that cyclists and motorists exercise caution on the roads as the dark nights set in.”

Following today’s launch outside the Western General’s Wellcome Trust Building the roadshow moves on to the Royal Infirmary on Monday (29 October), the University of Edinburgh’s King’s Buildings Murray Library on Tuesday and Potterrow on Thursday 1 November.

Anyone wishing further information on keeping themselves or their bike safe can also contact their local policing team or visit the Lothian and Borders Police website at www.lbp.police.uk

 

Primary care – Travel Safe Charter launched

A new resource to help improve road safety education has been launched in primary schools across Edinburgh, the Lothians and Scottish Borders. The Travel Safe Charter is a unique approach to promoting safe road practises to young people, seeking a commitment from schools and other agencies to develop curricular activities and partnership working.

Scotland’s national Road Safety Framework aims to reduce road deaths by 50 per cent through 2020 and the Travel Safe Charter has been designed to promote these key visions to all Pl – P7 year groups within our schools. The Charter provides advice and guidance on a range of policies, practices and procedures while encouraging and rewarding individual efforts. It will fit within the existing Curriculum for Excellence framework.

Travel Safe will reinforce and consolidate current good practices, whilst highlighting partnership working, parental input and involvement from the local community. All schools will submit evidence demonstrating that they have achieved the goals set within the Travel Charter framework and will be acknowledged accordingly through the award of a Charter certificate. The schools adjudged to be meeting these criteria will be given Travel Safe accreditation, which will be reviewed after three years.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill showed his support and helped launch the campaign at Duddingston Primary School yesterday.

Police believe Travel Safe will be a very useful tool to ensure a more sustainable approach to road safety education in primary schools. Chief Inspector Jim Royan from Lothian and Borders Police Safer Communities said: “As part of the Edinburgh Road Safety Partnership’s commitment to education, the Travel Safe Charter has been introduced to assist primary schools developing road safety education as a more vital part of the curriculum. Too many lives are lost needlessly on our roads each year and the earlier we can educate young people on road safety issues the better.

” School is where children receive the vast majority of their education and it’s appropriate for schools to play a key role in promoting road safety to their pupils. However, they are not alone in this project and police and partner agencies will provide all the necessary support and guidance schools require when adapting their curricular programme. We are also keen to get parents more involved and would encourage anyone who would like to assist with road safety education to respond to local school appeals for volunteers.”

Duddingston Depute Head Teacher Sara Webster said: “We are very excited about being part of the new Travel Safe Charter. Road safety is a skill for life which we feel is part of our responsibility asking children to assess and manage risk to protect themselves in the 21st century.”

Twenty’s plenty for Drylaw residents

Easter Drylaw Residents Association (EDRA) launched their local road safety campaign at Drylaw Parish Church earlier this week. The group plans to raise awareness of speed limits in the area hopes to encourage drivers to act more responsibly.

EDRA chair Eileen Brash explained: “Parking and traffic matters are regularly discussed at our meetings, and the issue most frequently raised by residents concerns the speed many vehicles drive at within our area. In response we are launching an Awareness Campaign which will highlight the speed limit in this area – 20mph.”

She continued: “We are liaising with the police, councillors, local council staff and Ferryhill Primary School and we have applied for funding which would enable 20mph road markings to be installed at all entrances leading to and from Groathill Road North. We believe these measures will complement the 20mph signs already erected on Ferry Road and at the top and bottom of Groathill Road North, and make it clearer to motorists that they are travelling in a 20mph zone”.

EDRA will be raising the issue in a number of ways over the coming weeks – through schoolbag leaflet drops, posters, banners, flyers and a series of ‘awareness days’.

EDRA would be delighted to see more local residents getting involved to support the campaign. The group meets on the third Monday of the month from 7.30 – 9pm in Drylaw Parish Church; to find out more, or to discuss other issues of concern, why not attend their next meeting?

Twenty's plenty for Drylaw residents

Easter Drylaw Residents Association (EDRA) launched their local road safety campaign at Drylaw Parish Church earlier this week. The group plans to raise awareness of speed limits in the area hopes to encourage drivers to act more responsibly.

EDRA chair Eileen Brash explained: “Parking and traffic matters are regularly discussed at our meetings, and the issue most frequently raised by residents concerns the speed many vehicles drive at within our area. In response we are launching an Awareness Campaign which will highlight the speed limit in this area – 20mph.”

She continued: “We are liaising with the police, councillors, local council staff and Ferryhill Primary School and we have applied for funding which would enable 20mph road markings to be installed at all entrances leading to and from Groathill Road North. We believe these measures will complement the 20mph signs already erected on Ferry Road and at the top and bottom of Groathill Road North, and make it clearer to motorists that they are travelling in a 20mph zone”.

EDRA will be raising the issue in a number of ways over the coming weeks – through schoolbag leaflet drops, posters, banners, flyers and a series of ‘awareness days’.

EDRA would be delighted to see more local residents getting involved to support the campaign. The group meets on the third Monday of the month from 7.30 – 9pm in Drylaw Parish Church; to find out more, or to discuss other issues of concern, why not attend their next meeting?

Twenty’s plenty for Drylaw residents

Easter Drylaw Residents Association is stepping up their campaign for safer streets by calling for drivers to be more aware of speed limits in the area. The group is concerned that inconsiderate motorists are ignoring 20mph speed limits in an area with a high population of older people and schoolchildren.

EDRA chair Eileen Brash said: “A number of our members have reported cars speeding on Easter Drylaw Drive – that’s a particular concern as there are often cars parked on both sides of the street and visibility can be restricted. There are similar problems across other parts of Drylaw too – some drivers either don’t see or just ignore the 20mph signs. We will be working with police and the council to see what we can do to tackle this issue before there is a serious accident”.

Twenty's plenty for Drylaw residents

Easter Drylaw Residents Association is stepping up their campaign for safer streets by calling for drivers to be more aware of speed limits in the area. The group is concerned that inconsiderate motorists are ignoring 20mph speed limits in an area with a high population of older people and schoolchildren.

EDRA chair Eileen Brash said: “A number of our members have reported cars speeding on Easter Drylaw Drive – that’s a particular concern as there are often cars parked on both sides of the street and visibility can be restricted. There are similar problems across other parts of Drylaw too – some drivers either don’t see or just ignore the 20mph signs. We will be working with police and the council to see what we can do to tackle this issue before there is a serious accident”.