| Road Safety News |
April 2009 - Kerb safe children thanks to army of volunteers
Warwickshire County Council’s Road Safety Team are celebrating five years of KerbSafe this week with volunteers who have helped make the scheme such a success. Local volunteers were invited along to the Judges House in Warwick to receive a certificate of recognition for their hard work over the years from Chair of Warwickshire County Council, Cllr Mrs Marion Haywood.
KerbSafe is a practical initiative to help make young children safer when they are out near roads. It comprises 6 roadside sessions with volunteer instructors and introduces children to the basic skills they need to become more aware of the potential risks they face near roads such as reversing cars and crossing the road. Once a young child is aware of the dangers on the road, Kerb Safe helps them to think about what they can do to keep themselves safe and encourages them to share this knowledge with their parents.
Over the years, 105 schools have taken part in the scheme and around 15,000 children have been trained by 800 volunteers.
Stan Milewski, Principal Road Safety Officer said “The reason KerbSafe has become so popular and has grown over the years is because of the commitment of the army of volunteers who continue to support this important road safety initiative. We really couldn’t have done it without them.”
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February 2009 - Tackling nuisance bike use
Young people from Nuneaton and the surrounding area are being given the opportunity to learn how to ride mini-motos safely and legally.
A new scheme has been setup by Warwickshire County Council, Warwickshire Police and the Auto Cycle Union to help reduce the amount of illegal and anti-social use of this type of bike, and give riders a better understanding of the equipment. The first event takes place at the Warwickshire Opportunities Centre, Pool Road Industrial Estate, Camp Hill, on Wednesday 18 February between 11am and 1pm.
Young people aged between 6 and 16 only are invited to ride around a specially laid out track. They will need to take along a mini-moto bike that is in good working order, and must wear appropriate clothing including helmet, jacket, gloves, long trousers and sturdy shoes.
Young people must bring a Parent or Guardian with them to the venue. Further information is available from Warwickshire Police on 01926 415476.
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January 2009 - Little Green Bear takes to the street
Parents of children aged 3 to 5 years are being invited to sign up to a free road safety club which is being launched through pre-schools and nurseries next week.
The Little Green Bear Road Safety Club has been developed by Warwickshire County Council’s Road Safety Unit to encourage parents to think about road safety by setting a good example to young children and talking to them about basic road safety.
The five main principles of the scheme are
- Stop, Look and Listen.
- Following the good examples of adults.
- Car danger.
- Be bright be seen.
- Buying first bike.
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County Councillor Martin Heatley, Environment Cabinet Portfolio Holder from Warwickshire County Council said “Our research has shown that although many parents/carers remember what they learnt as children, road conditions have changed since the days of the Tufty Club and the Green Cross Man, so, we’ve come up with an exciting new approach with a fresh, modern look.
Parents who sign up, receive a membership pack containing practical advice for parents and fun activities for children, which can be used in day-to-day situations to promote conversations with children about road safety.”
More information about the Little Green Bear Road Safety Club.
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Building Blocks for a safer future
A new handbook - The Baby Book of Road Safety - has now been launched giving practical road safety advice for parents of children from birth to 3 years of age. The handbook provides information and raises awareness of issues around in-car safety, pushchair/buggy safety and driveway safety. The free handbook is available from libraries, clinics and nurseries or by calling 01926 412254. | | |
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