October 2011 Newsletter
Ready for Winter?
With winter fast approaching, it's time to start thinking about getting ready. This year people across Scotland will be encouraged to consider if they are ready for winter and to think about how and what they can do to make sure they’re ready for severe weather or a prolonged icy snap. You can get involved by sharing information, making plans, taking action and by visiting www.readyscotland.org for more information and advice.
The Red Cross along with the Scottish Government are urging companies, individuals and organisations to consider if they are Ready for Winter? this year. Whether at home, in the community or out on the road, we all need to consider how we, and the people we live and work with, could be affected. Taking action now will help make Scotland better prepared and you and your organisation are asked to take part in this campaign which begins 24th October 2011.
Free resources to support "Ready for Winter" include:
- Art Design Posters with the Safer Scotland logo (A4 and A3 sized)
- Vinyl Stickers for Windows and Mirrors around the workplace, canteen etc.
- Z cards full of information and advice for distribution to staff.
These are available in quantity by contacting Jennie Pike on 0131 561 8648 or by email on jennie.pike@leith.co.uk.
In addition there are free downloadable materials included in an online toolkit which will enable companies to add their own logo to the information or send useful messages via the company intranet. These messages apply to all staff, customers and suppliers. The main message is to think now about how to help prevent problems as we get into winter.
Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland (ACPOS) Winter Safety Campaign
Still on the subject of Winter, ACPOS will run their normal "Get Ready for Winter Weekend" campaign encouraging drivers to check that their vehicles are fit for the road by ensuring they have screen wash, correct tyre tread and pressure and there will no doubt be a supply of free ice-scrapers distributed at that time.
For more information on ACPOS campaigns use link: ACPOS Campaigns.
Check your vehicle out! A new RoSPA video
RoSPA have made a short film outlining the vehicle checks we should all be making on a regular basis – as well as reminding us how often they should be carried out. A few minutes spent making a few simple checks can identify potential problems before they cost motorists money.
The film and an associated blog are available on the Safety Gone Sane blog.
ScORSA St Andrew's Driving Risks @ Work Seminar Glasgow 7th December 2011
This seminar is free to small and medium sized businesses and safety practitioners in Scotland. The aim of this seminar is to help provide guidance and support to businesses coping with the risks presented from driving for work. The seminar is free and larger organisations able to proactively promote the management of occupational road risk to smaller organisations in their supply chain are welcome. Click here for more information and an application form.
Intelligent Speed Adaptations (ISA)
All vehicles have speedometers but despite this there are far too many people speeding. Many companies see fitting Intelligent Speed Adaptations (ISAs) to their vehicles as part of the solution to the problem.
ISA is a system in which vehicles are fitted with a digital map which contains details of the various speed limits. A global positioning system compares the vehicle's position with the speed limit applicable on the road. An on-board computer then takes the appropriate action depending on the category of system that is being used.
ISA can take various forms:
- ADVISORY where the driver is informed of the speed limit and then needs to make a decision on how to adjust his/her behaviour
- VOLUNTARY where the driver is informed of the speed limit and an on-board computer restricts the vehicle's speed to ensure that the limit cannot be exceeded. The driver can choose to override the system
- MANDATORY where the driver is informed of the speed limit and an on-board computer restricts the vehicle's speed to ensure that the limit cannot be exceeded. The driver cannot override the system.
The speed limit information can potentially be extended to incorporate lower speeds at certain locations in the network and even in the future variation with current network conditions, based on weather, traffic density, the presence of incidents, etc.
The Department for Transport (2008) carried out major research which focussed on driver behaviour and safety with a voluntary (i.e. overridable) ISA system.
For information log onto: DfT Intelligent Speed Adaptations Project.
Drivers should be aware of the dangers of speed and the safer greener and economical advantages to driving at lower speeds. The Scottish Government within the Road Safety Framework to 2020 is committed to promoting the voluntary use of ISA.
Energy Saving Trust
Fuel Efficient Driver Training Sessions At Discounted Priced
Scots motorists are being urged to sign up for Fuel Efficient Driver (FED) training sessions in a bid to slash up to £300 off their annual fuel bill.
The Energy Saving Trust, with funding from Transport Scotland, is providing fuel efficient driver training sessions to Scots motorists at a discounted price - while stocks last.
For just £12 - compared to £40 normally - drivers get a 50-minute session with an approved driving instructor. Interested motorists should ring 0800 512 012 to arrange a mutually convenient time and place By following fuel efficient driving tips, the Energy Saving Trust estimates Scots motorists could slash 15% off their motoring fuel bills.
October – Tyre Safety Month
The Tyresafety newsletter this month reminds us of the importance of ensuring your tyres are safe for the winter months ahead and shows a video which demonstrates the performance of winter vs. summer tyres at temperatures below -7ºc.
Young Drivers
European Youth Forum
The most recent "On the Move" Newsletter is a special edition dedicated to young people. The latest statistics show that persons aged 15-24 years old killed in road accidents represent a fifth of all road accident fatalities in the EU. In this context, one of the tools put in place in 2008 by the European Commission is the European Youth Forum for Road Safety. This forum will hold its fourth meeting on 24-25 November 2011 in Brussels.
On the Move - Young Driver Edition (PDF 1.4mb).
RoSPA Young Drivers @ Work Workshops
RoSPA Scotland ran a workshop in Edinburgh and another in Glasgow on the use of the free Young Driver at Work Workshop resources.
These seminars were well attended and evaluations are very positive. Here is the link to the workshop presentations and to the presentations of our guest speakers Dr Neale Kinnear from Transport Research Laboratory and from Neil Greig, Director of Policy and Research with the IAM.
RoSPA Scotland YD@W Seminar Presentations.
Preventing Road Accidents and Injuries for the Safety of Employees (PRAISE)
As part of its new PRAISE project ETSC publishes its first Thematic Report which presents how in-vehicle safety equipment can improve and help manage work-related road safety. At a European level the deployment of life saving technologies should be prioritised in the context of improving road safety at work in the upcoming ITS Directive and the new EU 4th Road Safety Action Programme.
The deployment of In-Vehicle Safety Technologies should be prioritised by employers according to their greatest life saving potential. Crucial also to their effectiveness is that they are integrated into working management structures that address the greatest risks on the roads. Employers should make every effort to apply them but also train staff on their use and monitor their implementation.
The report looks at the business case for investing in road safety at work, examines the most important technologies, gives examples of their use and recommends next steps for the EU, Member State governments and employers.
To read the PRAISE Report please log onto: In Vehicle Safety Equipment PRAISE report (PDF 807kb).
Mobile Phones - The Growing Problem of Driver Distraction
You don't have to look very far to see someone using their mobile phone whilst driving. The proportion of drivers using mobile phones whilst driving has increased over the past 5-10 years.
We know that mobile phones take the eyes and mind of the driver away from the road and the task of driving. As a consequence driver reaction times are slower resulting in late braking, impaired ability to keep in the correct lane, shorter following distances and overall reduction in awareness.
The World Health Organisation has recently published a document giving case studies from around the world.
The Growing Problem of Driver Distraction.
Drivers Using Medication
As we approach the time of colds and flu there may be a need to remind drivers to check any medication they are taking to ensure it will not impair their driving ability. This applies to all medications whether prescribed by the doctor or a remedy bought over the counter at a pharmacy. A couple of leaflets that may be useful: