Engaging with residents in Road Safety Week 2017

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Road Safety Team will be out and about to promote Road Safety Week 2017, with a series of engaging activities with residents.

Road Safety Week is the UK’s biggest road safety event and is coordinated each year by road safety charity Brake. This year (November 20-26) its theme is ‘Speed Down, Save Lives’ – raising awareness of the problem of speeding motorists and the potential consequences of driving too quickly on our roads.

The Council will begin the week undertaking a BUZBY exercise on Monday. Officers will be at various locations across the County Borough to record the details of any drivers using a mobile phone behind the wheel. This information will be passed to South Wales Police for subsequent action and awareness-raising.

Council officers will also carry out Child Pedestrian Training with Year 2 pupils at Treorchy Primary School on Monday afternoon.

On Tuesday, November 21, an information event is being held at Asda Tonypandy where the Council, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the Go Safe partnership will be spreading the road safety message. They will be helped by Junior Road Safety Officers from Treorchy Primary School.

There will also be a Pass Plus Cymru workshop in Treforest on Tuesday evening. The initiative offers new drivers the chance to discover more driving techniques, hints and tips upon passing their test, and provides valuable additional driving experience.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the focus will turn to Kerbcraft, which aims to give Year 2 pupils the necessary skills to become safer pedestrians. These sessions will engage with young pupils at Cymmer Primary, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Bronllwyn, Llwyncelyn Infants, Ysgol Llanhari, Penygraig Infants and Cwmbach Community Primary School.

A Junior Road Safety Officer assembly will take place at Penygraig Junior School, and partnership work will take place at Llantilltud Faerdref and Bodringallt Primary. Cycling National Standards Course Level 1 training will also be offered at St Margaret’s Primary School.

On Friday, to conclude the Council’s activities in Road Safety Week 2017, there will be a Drive Safer For Longer workshop with residents over the age of 65. This initiative aims to provide the necessary skills and advice to maintain the confidence of motorists over the age of 65.

Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways, said: “Road Safety Week represents an important milestone on the Council’s calendar and this year is no different, with a number of events planned by our Road Safety Team to engage with residents across the County Borough.

“A significant part of the week centres round engaging with pupils in schools, with a number of events taking place to share the road safety message to young people – including how to remain safe as a pedestrian.

“The Council, working closely with partner agencies, will also be out and about on our roads to ensure people are driving responsibly – and reporting those who choose to use their mobile phone while driving. There is also a targeted engagement session with motorists who are over the age of 65.

“I would encourage all residents to engage with the message of Road Safety Week 2017, to ensure everyone is as safe as possible on our roads.”

Posted on Monday 20th November 2017