PAPER A

 

NOTES OF EVIDENCE

 

 

Meeting

Policy Commission for Safer Communities

Ref

Saf.PC.03/05/07

Date   

3 May 2007

Time

18:00 hours

Place

Committee Room 1, County Hall, Newport

Purpose of meeting

Formal Public Meeting

Attendance     

Commission

Cllrs David Williams (Chair), Vanessa Churchman, Heather Humby, Susan Scoccia, Julian Whittaker

Cabinet

Cllr Ian Ward

Cabinet Secretariat

Cllr Alan Wells

Other Councillors

Cllr Melanie Swan

Officers

Miss Louise Biggs, Mr Peter Taylor

Stake holders

Tony Beere, Steve Cocks, (Driving Instructors Association), Alec Southcott (Chief Fire Safety Officer), Billy Jones, Charlie Ringer, Chris Smy (IW Youth Council).

Apologies

Cllrs Henry Adams, Mike Cunningham, Stuart Love.

Agenda Items

 

1          To agree the evidence arising at the meeting held on 15 March 2007 (Paper A)

1.1         The notes of the previous meeting were agreed. 

 

1.2         The Chair welcomed Cllr Julian Whittaker to the Commission. 

2          Declarations of interest

2.1          There were no declarations of interest.

 

3          (a) To approve the amended scoping document on Island Road Safety (Paper B)

 

 

 

 

(b) To Take Evidence From:

(i) The Isle of Wight Youth Council

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii) The Isle of Wight Driving Instructors Association

3.1         The scope had been broadened to enable the wider community to become involved.  Ten sites had been identified for Speedwatch to take place and there would be a meeting with the Police on the following day to take this forward.   The Road Safety Forum had been established and would meet on the 23 April.  The development day held at the Farringford Hotel had proved very informative and productive.

 

3.2        The paper was approved. 

 

3.3        Billy Jones, MP for the Isle of Wight Youth Council spoke to the Commission about his recent attendance at the World Road Safety UN Conference for Young People.  Raising awareness of and promoting road safety was the main message that came out of the conference.  The following ideas had been discussed: Use of the media and celebrities to promote road safety; Advertisements shown on TV or before cinema screenings; the setting up of a global network to help solve road safety issues.  The main reasons for accidents were: drink driving; speeding; not wearing helmets; no fluorescent clothing.

 

3.4        There was discussion on the driving age which differs around the world.  It was felt that it was up to the individual to decide at which age they were mature enough to drive.  Not everyone was ready at 17.

 

3.5        The influence and effect of the number of passengers within a vehicle was discussed, but no statistics had been available on this at the conference.   

 

3.6        The possibility of making the driving test stricter was raised as was the use of the ‘P’ Plate.  These plates are used in Northern Island and it was suggested that statistics could be examined to see if their use had improved road safety there.

 

3.7        Speeding and drink driving needed to be made socially unacceptable.  It was suggested that warnings could be put on alcohol similar to those used on cigarettes and making drivers aware of the huge increase in insurance costs to those who had been drinking and driving were discussed.  Notices put into every vehicle reminding drivers that cars can kill were put forward.  Visual campaigns within nightclubs and the prominent display of taxi phone numbers could be effective and pub and club proprietors could help with this idea.  Skid tracks, random breath testing, checks on modified cars by the police, naming and shaming and peer pressure were discussed.

 

3.8        The use of illuminated signs indicating speed was thought to be working.  Promotion of the Head-On Video, perhaps at car club meetings and after passing a driving test could have positive outcomes.

 

3.9        Random stops by police could be effective in improving road safety, especially as the New Driver Act (1995) meant that receiving 6 points within 2 years of passing the driving test would mean loss of the licence.

 

3.10    The Pass Plus test was discussed and although these courses are not available on the Island, some Councils subsidised these for young people.  In order for Island resident’s to take these courses, it meant a day on the mainland for the attendee and their driving instructor.  However, the cost of a road traffic accident far exceeds the cost of attending this course.

 

3.11    Increased awareness of the role of passengers was important.  There was positive discussion on an idea used in New Zealand whereby you were not able to carry passengers until the age of 21. 

 

3.12    Use of advertisements in the Driving Test Centre and promotion of the Head On DVD was discussed further.  The DVD is part of an educational package.  There was suggestion that a specific package could be devised for the Driving Instructors Association.   Timeline Film is keen to make an IW road safety film and to incorporate the Head-On DVD within this. Alec Sothcott suggested meeting with the Driving Instructors Association to take this further.

 

3.13    Using pictures of vehicles involved in accidents was also suggested.

 

3.14    There was discussion around older drivers and whether an independent person, rather than a GP, should determine whether or not they are fit to drive.

 

3.15    Minutes of Isle of Wight Youth Council discussions on road safety were distributed by Chris Smy for members to read.

 

4          Actions

4.1      Road Safety Forum to discuss the possibility of a skid track for the Island.  Steve Cocks could provide contact details for skid track at Goodwood if required. (Pete Taylor)

 

4.2      Statistics on the success of the ‘P’ Plate in Northern Island to be researched. (Pete Taylor/Louise Biggs)

 

5           

The meeting closed at 7.40 pm.