In this issue........

l DVLA and DSA backs Deadly Mates campaign

l Seven Sisters speeds tackled

Partnership UpdateJim Moore, Partnership Manager, WRCRP

Go Safe www.gosafe.org

Welcome to the Winter edition of

Newsflash.

NEWSFLASHThe GoSafe Newsletter December 2010 Issue No.05

The Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership’s

quarterly newsletter, keeping you up to date with

road safety news across Wales.

Want to contribute?

We hope that you enjoy reading our newsletter, however, if you have any suggestions on ways to improve it or if you

would like to contribute to a future edition please contact lesa.hitchings@swansea.gov.uk or 01792 637764.

Once again the spotlight is on the future of safety cameras in the UK with Thames Valley Police

and Oxfordshire County Council agreeing a new arrangement that has seen cameras on the

county’s roads switched back on just three months after they were turned off.

We also welcome the findings of a new report by Professor Richard Allsop of University College

London for the RAC Foundation, which claims that 800 more people could be killed or seriously

injured each year on Britain’s roads if all the fixed and mobile speed cameras were to be

decommissioned. We’ve always maintained that the decision to cut or cease enforcement is one

that cannot be taken lightly and this study highlights the continuing road safety benefits of

cameras and the potential consequences of removing them.

It was encouraging to see so many of our partners and supporters turn up to the recent launch of

our Deadly Mates Campaign within the DVLA and DSA. Mum Angela Smith joined us to talk

about the loss of her son Kyle when he was a passenger in a car driven by his friend. Kyle would

have been 21 now and Angela’s words really brought home the true impact of losing a loved one,

particularly a child. We hope that youngsters all across Wales will take heed and not be afraid to

speak up if one of their friends is driving too fast or too carelessly.

Finally, I would like to wish you and your families a merry christmas and a safe new year.

2Go Safe www.gosafe.org

SEVEN SISTERS SPEEDS TACKLED

Speed enforcement is about to begin on Wembley Avenue in Onllwyn after a survey found that

speeds of up to 78mph were being driven along the 30mph stretch of road.

Following concerns raised by residents about speeding motorists, a survey was undertaken, with

speeds of 43mph or higher consistently recorded – and a considerable number driving at more

than double the speed limit.

Kate Hopkins, a police community support officer based at Seven Sisters Police Station, said:

“This has been a major concern for the residents, not just at PACT meetings but many have

approached me when out and about on patrol. This is a built up area with cars parked on both

sides and a busy welfare club on the road. There have been many near misses and we wanted to

do something about this before a major accident happens.”

Sergeant Stuart Matthews, South Wales Police co-ordinator for Go Safe – the Wales Road

Casualty Reduction Partnership, which is responsible for speed and traffic light camera

enforcement, added: “It is worrying that motorists are showing a complete disregard for the speed

limits and putting lives at risk, with the survey finding a large number of vehicles driven at more

than double the 30mph limit. Our mobile cameras will regularly enforce at the site in a bid to bring

down the speeds driven along Wembley Avenue.”

DVLA AND DSA BACK DEADLY MATES CAMPAIGN

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, please drive carefully this Christmas

The DVLA and Driving Standards Agency (DSA) have backed the Deadly Mates campaign after it

was revealed that more than 8,000 young drivers aged between 16 and 24 had their driving

licences revoked under the rules of the New Drivers’ Act in the first nine months of 2010.

22 DSA Driving Test Centres across Wales are supporting the campaign, giving out the Deadly

Mates ’10 Ways to Lose Your Licence’ leaflet to young customers and placing posters on their

display boards. The DVLA is also supporting the campaign

in its centres across Wales – Swansea, Cardiff and Bangor.

Rosemary Thew, chief executive of DSA, said: “We work

very hard to help young people become safe and

responsible drivers. If you reach six or more penalty points

in the two years after passing the test, you will lose your

licence and have to pass the theory and practical tests all

over again. DSA supports the Deadly Mates campaign

because it helps the friends of novice drivers understand

their role in keeping our roads safe.”

Chief executive of DVLA, Simon Tse, added: “Britain’s roads are the safest in the world, but we

cannot be complacent. That is why DVLA supports the Deadly Mates campaign: the friends of

newly qualified drivers are often best placed to encourage good driving and challenge bad

behaviour.”

Julie Palmer DVLA, Angela Smith, Jim Moore Go Safe, Garry Monk

Swansea City AFC, ACC Nick Croft South Wales Police