Congratulations to Naomi

Congratulations to Naomi Coleman who passed today at the first attempt, with only 4 driver errors. Seldom do we see such an impressive effort!

Congratulations to Danny

Congratulations to Danny Gillard who passed today with only 2 driver errors. I sat in the back and I was impressed!

Vulnerable road users need much more protection, says IAM

As UN Global Road Safety week puts worldwide pedestrian safety under the spotlight the IAM is asking the UK government and car makers to make pedestrian friendly car fronts a top priority. The government should be taking the lead in lobbying the European Commission and car makers to make radical changes so that vulnerable road users can get the same five star protection as those sitting in the vehicle.

The number of deaths and serious injuries to car occupants fell by 524 in 2011 but amongst vulnerable road users they increased:

• Pedestrians - 48 more killed, 254 more seriously injured
• Cyclists - four fewer killed, 425 more seriously injured

Since 2006, car occupant’s deaths and serious injuries have fallen by 35% but for pedestrians the fall is just 16 per cent, while cyclist deaths and serious injuries have increased by 31 per cent. Car occupants benefit increasingly from the high standards of crash protection brought about by the Euro NCAP crash testing programme, ensuring more four and five-star cars than ever are on the market. Improvements to the front of cars that would benefit pedestrians and cyclists in a collision have simply not kept pace.

New research by IAM shows that the average Euro NCAP rating for car occupants in super minis in the last three years is eighty-two per cent while for pedestrians it is much lower, at 53 per cent. There needs to be a new focus on bringing pedestrian safety up to the level now enjoyed by car occupants.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “While the people in the car are much safer, in the case of a crash with a pedestrian or cyclist, the front of the car is not as forgiving. Much more can and should be done through car design to minimise the damage caused by hard metal on soft tissue.”

How to do a perfect parallel park

The parallel park is one of the set manoeuvres you may be asked to demonstrate during your practical test.

During your practical test your examiner will ask you pull up on the left about 4-5 car lengths behind a parked vehicle.  You will then be given the following briefing:

"I would like you to demonstrate a parallel park using the vehicle ahead of you as your target vehicle.  I want you to move off safely and stop parallel to the target vehicle. Then I want you to reverse into your parking position a safe distance from the kerb and finish with the wheels straight.  Please keep within 2 cars from the back of the target vehicle and leave enough room to move off in a forward gear.  When you are ready, drive on"

Congratulations to Jessi

Congratulations to Jessi Hill who passed today with only 3 driver errors.  Now that's a pretty good drive and a very nice smile!

The Full Hazard Drill

MSPSLADA

Use the full Hazard Drill in good time as you approach a hazard

Chichester 20mph Consultation

Chichester 20mph

With 20mph limits, West Sussex County Council (WSCC) aims to breathe new life into Chichester's streets. The vision of 20mph will help to create more pleasant communities for us all to enjoy. Slower speeds and reduced car use for local trips will lead to a less noisy and more people-centred community.

Safer

Residents living in 20mph streets should feel safer and more able to use local roads to go to work, school and the shops or doctors. At 20mph accidents are less serious and there are fewer deaths.

Healthier

Most people feel safer in a 20mph street, so find it easier to cross the road, ride their bicycle and play out, allowing people of all ages to make healthier travel choices.

Quieter

A 20mph limit encourages more considerate driving, particularly for short trips. This makes for quieter streets and enables neighbours to get to know each other.

Local

When people feel able to use roads safely, they choose to use local shops rather than travel out of area. Neighbourhoods with 20mph streets encourage more walking and cycling which reduces congestion and pollution.

National context

Nationally, a number of Local Authorities have already introduced a 20mph limit in response to concerns about road safety, health and the environment. Central government policy has made it easier to implement schemes without the need for road humps.

WSCC's transport policy reflects the national position and we are committed to working with communities where concerns about traffic speed are raised. In Chichester, residents have been calling for a 20mph speed limit for a number of years. We have worked closely with the community to understand the level of support for a 20mph limit, and conducted a consultation in the summer of 2012.

Over three quarters of the 5,613 residents who responded were in favour of implementing 20mph limits on residential roads in Chichester. WSCC councillors therefore approved a recommendation to go ahead with the scheme.

Design of scheme

WSCC has carefully designed the scheme to reflect national and local policy. All roads where the lower speed limit will apply are residential, less than 400 metres long and have previously had an average speed lower than 24mph. The lower limit can apply in other situations, such as where there is a history of accidents or outside a school.

After careful analysis, members of the South Chichester County Local Committee concluded that the lower limit should extend to all of Chichester’s residential roads, except A and B roads.

Engagement and education

Speed limit signs are only one dimension of a 20mph scheme. For a scheme to be successful, it is vital there is community support and ownership of the objectives. We are working with a range of community groups including: residentsand community associations, voluntary groups, schools, social clubs and local businesses.

Partners of WSCC, such as Sussex Police, the Fire & Rescue Service, Chichester District Council and the NHS, will all work together to ensure the approach is supported. When Members agreed the scheme, part of the budget was assigned specifically to carry out community engagement and education initiatives.

Cost of scheme

The total budget is £100,000, with around £70,000 allocated to install signs and/or markings on the highway. Any separate measures for education will be an additional cost, of up to £30,000.

Separate traffic calming measures may be considered at a later date but only if they are required to reduce speeds.

Enforcement

Sussex Police are able to enforce any legally established speed limit. They follow Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) advice and do not undertake routine enforcement of 20mph limits.

If a limit is correctly assessed and implemented, active enforcement should not be necessary. Sussex Police support the view that 20mph speed limits are community sponsored initiatives and as such, the community should play a major part in reducing speed and influencing driver behaviour.

More.........