The Scottish Government

Aberdeen City

Aberdeen City Council (in consultation with partners and user groups)

Introduction of facilities for Vulnerable Road Users

This initiative is aimed at reducing conflicts between vulnerable road users and motorised traffic by improving facilities for vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.

Aberdeen's Transportation Strategy includes the target of increasing commuter cycling to 8% of all journeys to work by 2011 while continuing to reduce cycle accidents. To this end, cycle accident statistics are reviewed with neighbouring authorities, the Cycle Touring Club, cycle groups from Shell and BP and others to promote and implement a city-wide cycle network.

Road crossing opportunities are being improved by the installation of 42 Toucan, Puffin and Zebra crossings, numerous traffic islands and 13 improved pedestrian facilities at signalised junctions.

These introductions reduce conflicts between vulnerable road users and motorised traffic.

The initiative has resulted in a continued reduction in vulnerable road user casualties (as shown in the Road Safety Plan), while encouraging more sustainable modes of transport.

Aberdeen City Council and other public sector partner organisations, in particular, the North East Scotland Safety Camera Partnership

Traffic Speed Reduction

This initiative has been promoted in conjunction with local authority partners, Police and Health authorities and with input from schools and local communities. Speed limits across the City are being enforced using fixed and mobile cameras with associated advertising and publicity.

Traffic calming is introduced to reduce speeding where appropriate with suitable cases for treatment often being identified through the area traffic management review process.

A programme of lowering mandatory, advisory and part-time speed limits around schools is currently being rolled out across the City.

The initiative has resulted in a continued reduction in road accident casualties and severities, particularly among vulnerable road users.

Aberdeen City Council as lead partner

City Centre Pedestrian Priority

Aberdeen City Council as lead partner within the Aberdeen City Centre Partnership which consists of the Council, the local Enterprise Company, the National Public Sector Housing body and the Private Sector in the form of the Chamber of Commerce are promoting an initiative to improve facilities for pedestrians and to resolve the current inadequacies in footway provision.

Some 200 years ago Aberdeen City Centre was established on an east-west axis around the main thoroughfare, Union Street. This 1.5km route created the pattern for development. However, over the past 20 years, with the creation of new city centre shopping malls the focus of activity has evolved on a north-south axis.

The existing street at the point where pedestrian levels are greatest has narrow footways, much too narrow for the comfortable movements of all users. The number of pedestrian related accidents are the highest concentrations to be found anywhere in the city and the Strategy and Project Plan are based on resolving many of these difficulties while addressing the access needs of all users.

Greater levels of pedestrian priority and pedestrianisation are being developed together with improved infrastructure. These will encourage economic activity and dramatically reduce pedestrian/vehicle conflicts.

Aberdeen City Council (in partnership with the School Board, parents and school staff)

Newhills School Pupil Trail

The objective of this pilot scheme is to improve road safety for pupils of Newhills School by creating safer routes to school, managing pupil movements and creating dropping-off areas to encourage walking to school and to provide a safer environment for all the community.

Improved facilities were provided for the School Crossing Patrollers on distributor roads in the neighbourhood and colour coded safe walking routes to and from the school entrance were introduced on the network of footpaths round Newhills School. The start of each route is marked by an appropriately coloured symbol on peripheral roads. Pupils are allocated an access route and parents are asked to drop off and collect their children at these points. Disruption to traffic is minimal and this ensures that pupil movements can be managed safely.

Traffic congestion has been greatly reduced at the school entrance, providing a safer, healthier environment for Newhills School pupils.

Grampian Police (Road Policing Section)

Road Policing

On a monthly basis the police use outputs from the Traffic Intelligence Unit to determine priority routes for policing. The T& CG meets daily and reviews the most recent intelligence to determine next day's policing priorities for the whole of the Grampian area; this information is relayed to patrol officers via the force's intranet.

Grampian Police

National Educational Campaigns

Education and publicity are at the core of road policing in Grampian. Their recent drink driving winter campaign was very innovative and received a lot of media coverage. It was held at the helipad in Aberdeen and included all emergency services, the Minister for Transport and a convicted drink driver (see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4072427.stm ).

Grampian Police

National Educational Campaigns

Local initiatives are driven by specific issues, such as parking at schools: a recent initiative photographed illegally parked cars at a school in Aberdeen and published the photographs in a local paper. See ( www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/campaigns/001207zag.shtml ).

Grampian Police (in partnership with other key stakeholders)

North East Camera Partnership ( NESCAMP)

NESCAMP is a partnership of Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City Council, Moray Council, District Courts, The Scottish Executive, and Grampian Police. It was established in 2001 and over the past two years has resulted in a reduction in deaths and speed at its camera locations.

Grampian Police ( RCRU)

See Red

'See Red' is organised by RSOs and is targeted at pupils about to undertake the transition between primary and secondary school. It is a workshop about a cycle collision. Actors play the part of police, car drivers, eye witnesses, and pupils play the role of accident investigators. The initiative is relatively expensive at £6K per week. However, funding is normally received from the Education Department, and corporate bodies.

Grampian Police ( RCRU)

Problems Talk

Problems talk is presented by uniformed Police Officers to fifth year secondary pupils who are about to embark on their driving careers. It highlights the main causes of fatal and serious injuries on our roads; speeding, seatbelts, drink and drugs driving.

Grampian Police ( RCRU)

Driving Ambition

A multi-agency initiative for sixth year pupils designed to give them a complete start in motoring. The scheme requires at least one day depending on the class sizes and consists of:

1) Police presentation aiming to improve driver awareness;

2) Driving Standards Agency presentation on learning to drive and the driving test itself;

3) Fire & Rescue Service presentation on the consequences of road crashes;

4) Practical demonstration on basic vehicle maintenance;

5) Driving Tuition from Approved Driving Instructors for those participating with either a full or provisional driving licence (£75 per car).

Some 29 schools per year participate throughout Grampian. The driving school can be dropped if funding is an issue.

Grampian Police ( RCRU)

Observations/Winter Driving presentations

These talks are undertaken by uniformed police officers to everyone from multi-nationals to local businesses, also universities and local community groups.

Grampian Police ( RCRU)

Cycle Training

Normally targeted at pupils in primary 6 or 7. RSOs administer the schemes, which normally are undertaken during the school day and consist of eight sessions. The RSO does bicycle checks, distributes literature ( SRSC literature & Arrive Alive (DfT)), and presents an introduction talk on cycle safety. Parents take over at this stage (ratio of 1 to 6 children). The RSO will normally participate in session four and undertake an assessment of each child at the end of the course. Around 3,500 Grampian pupils participate in the course each year.

Grampian Police ( RCRU)

Various RSO educational campaigns

RSOs make contact with every primary school in Aberdeen and endeavour to visit each school on an annual basis. RSOs present information on a number of national and local initiatives; Be Safe Be Seen (winter campaign), and JRSO scheme.

Grampian Police

Bikesafe

Following successful pilot schemes in 1999 by Strathclyde Police and Grampian Police, Grampian Police, along with all other Scottish ( RCRU) Forces has run Bikesafe courses each year for motorcyclists, a particularly vulnerable road-user group.

Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire Council

Interactive Signing

Aberdeenshire Council has introduced interactive signing at junctions and other hazards. These have been used to highlight hazards and as a speed reduction tool.

Aberdeenshire Council

Innovative motorcycle signing

In partnership with Grampian Police, the Council has introduced signs on routes that are popular with motorcyclists and where there has been a history of accidents involving motorcyclists.

Aberdeenshire Council

20mph limits

Aberdeenshire Council is currently implementing 20mph zones in existing residential areas and are introducing 20mph zones as part of all new housing developments.

Aberdeenshire Council

Traffic Calming

A number of traffic calming schemes has been introduced within Aberdeenshire. Sites have been assessed for treatment using a points system.

Glasgow City

Glasgow City Council
AIP Unit

Mass Action Campaign

This campaign was funded by the AIP budget and it targeted priority junctions by providing improved signs and lines. They undertook this type of project because they wanted to try out a new approach that was not focused on acute sites but would provide benefit across Glasgow. They implemented en-mass and monitored en-mass to reflect an overall benefit of reduced numbers of casualties.

Glasgow City Council
AIP Unit

Road Safety Audits

Approximately 30% of AIP Unit's time is spent carrying out Road Safety Audits. They have a formal requirement to carry them out. The Police are consulted at Stage 3.

Strathclyde Police (Glasgow)

Occupational Road Risk

This is an internal GCC initiative. All work-related car driver accidents are reported to RSOs. The accidents are recorded and allocated points according to an allocation system. The number of points reflects the subsequent road safety training an employee receives. They produce a city driver leaflet which is sent to every Council driver to keep them abreast of driving issues, legal issues, etc.

Glasgow City Council
RSU

Children's Traffic Club in Scotland

CTCS is a major part of the RSOs' work. Two RSOs work towards achieving 100% coverage by targeting areas of low uptake with advertising. They give talks to parents of children in nurseries. The Health Board participates - health visitors can now register children for the CTCS.

Glasgow City Council
RSU

Safe T-Rex

RSOs worked in conjunction with Education Services to produce a resource for youngest school children - a story-book "Safe T-Rex" designed to be read by teachers to children.

Glasgow City Council
RSU

Mrs Mac Pack

Targets the elderly. In a recent campaign they researched what type of person older people respond to. The result was that they produced a "Mrs Mac Pack" - this is given to children to take back to their grandparents and read together.

Inverclyde

Inverclyde Community Safety Partnership

Pass Plus

Inverclyde Community Road Safety Partnership provides £5000 for this initiative (50% of the funding). The scheme provides extra driver training immediately after the mandatory driving test. It is advertised by CD- ROMs, posters, Inverclyde website, driving schools, police website and by internal police advertising. Available for anyone who has recently passed their test, aged 17-25 years. Publicity leaflet is also given to any 17-25 year old involved in an accident.

Strathclyde Police (Inverclyde)

Fleet vehicle checks

Regular checks carried out on vehicles and drivers in partnership with VOSA (Vehicle Operators Services Authority). The bus companies are happy to take part. The bus companies often ask for assistance with issues such as vandalism. They are also now carrying out checks on taxis.

Inverclyde Council
Schools Working Group

Safer Routes to School ( SRTS)

Developed and implemented measures to ensure every primary school had a minimum standard of road safety. Measures were developed in conjunction with head teachers, but children and parents were not involved due to staffing limitations.

Inverclyde Council
RSOs

CTCS Loan Box Scheme

RSOs have developed a Loan Box whereby nurseries can borrow a box of road safety related games, toys and books for a limited period.

Scottish Borders

Lothian and Borders Police
(Scottish Borders)

Operation Octane

This is about safety on rural roads. Police ensured patrols were located on certain routes according to accident data and forecasting. RSOs backed the campaign with the production of posters and leaflets distributed to public places and companies and by radio, TV and newspaper advertising. Media is very good at getting involved in road safety campaigns in the area - largely down to the typology of the area - news stories are not as big as they are in urban areas, therefore, there is more interest in topics such as road safety.

Lothian and Borders Police RSOs
(Scottish Borders)

55+ Course

For retirement groups, WI and other similar groups. These courses highlight the changes in the law drivers need to be aware of, personal changes with age (eyesight, co-ordination, judgement) and create an awareness of their limitations. RSOs are looking to increase uptake due to the increasing elderly population, by improved advertising.

Lothian and Borders Police
(Scottish Borders)

Drink Driving Offenders' Survey

The police undertook a survey over a period of six months with drink-driving offenders to find out how aware they are of the legal alcohol limit, what this equates to in volume of different types of alcohol, the perception of the likelihood of being caught and the penalties offences entail.

Community Safety Partnership
(Scottish Borders)

Soft Drink Driving Campaign

The Police and RSOs brought the results of the Drink Driving Offenders' Survey to the attention of the Community Safety Partnership ( CSP). The CSP developed a Soft Drink Driving Campaign. The CSP created a sub-working group bringing together road safety practitioners, the community and key agencies. They were conscious that to be effective it had to be a local message because it was felt that national campaigns were not effective. Interventions included: Publicity using a local celebrity; media launch demonstrating the effect of alcohol on driving; Posters; RSO Unit branding - "Soft Drink and Drive"; highlighting the consequences - you are more likely to get caught because of the campaign and if you have your licence taken away the limited transport infrastructure in the area means that you will find it difficult to get around.

Scottish Borders Council

Lothian and Borders Police

Lothian and Borders Safety Camera Partnership

Scottish Borders Council and Lothian and Borders Police are two of the five organisations that make up the Safety Camera Partnership. The Partnership is a non-profit, non-tax revenue funded organisation. Everything they do is funded by the penalties people pay for driving over the speed limit and failing to comply with red lights. In the Scottish Borders there are currently 30 fixed camera sites and 25 mobile cameras which are used on specified sections of routes.

Stirling

Stirling Council/
Central Scotland Roads Accident Investigation Unit ( CSRAIU)

Fulfil Councils' obligations in respect of the Road Traffic Act, 1988, s.39 (3).

CSRAIU studies accidents arising out of the use of the roads within Stirling Council's area. Amongst other things, accident black sites are prioritised. Resources are expended on developing and implementing solutions to improve road safety at these sites, and on providing advice and guidance based on experience and research.

Central Scotland Police
RSOs
(Stirling)

CTCS talk to trainee nursery nurses

The RSOs give a talk about the CTCS to trainee nursery nurses at the local college. This aims to encourage nursery nurses to encourage a greater uptake of the CTCS resources by nursery-age children.

Central Scotland Police
RSOs
(Stirling)

Primary school road safety training

Every primary school child receives training from the RSOs each year from P1 to P7. This is led by the curriculum. They also provide education about the move from P7 to S1, and provide assistance in road safety training around buses, new crossings, etc. Each school receives a letter from the RSOs with a suggested date for the training and head teachers are asked to confirm or suggest an alternative date.

Central Scotland Police
RSOs
(Stirling)

Cycle training

The RSOs train individuals to carry out cycle training in schools. In Falkirk the Active Schools Co-ordinator is taking over this role.

Central Scotland Police
RSOs
Fire Brigade
(Stirling)

Crucial Crew

An off-site education day for P7 children (offered to schools once every 3 years). It is a practical day which aims to present safety problems (including road safety) to children and to help them solve the problems appropriately.

Police
RSOs
(Stirling)

A84/85 route

Carried out a very successful campaign on the A84/85 route between Stirling and Crianlarich. During the later 1990s there were a series of fatal accidents occurring in the summer and involving motorcyclists. The campaign was based on a plan which focused on education and enforcement.

Generic and specific leaflets were distributed to motorists along the route, and the RSOs and Police carried out a roadshow in Tyndrum with displays, videos and discussion. During the peak tourist periods, the RSOs took the roadshow to all towns on the route to provide advice and information to motorists. The local press and radio were also kept well informed. The initiative linked into the Bikesafe initiative but, over and above it, there were a number of joint education and enforcement days with Tayside, Northern and Strathclyde Police held in Tyndrum.

Unmarked and marked motorcycles and patrol cars were deployed along the route in various combinations and at varying times to enforce all aspects of vehicle and road safety.

As the initiative progresses, emphasis has shifted more toward high-visibility enforcement whereby the community can engage with officers and, thus, officers become part of the enforcement group.

Aberdeenshire Council Transportation & Infrastructure Service

andy.duff@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
01224 665285

Road Policing

Ian.Kirkwood@grampian.pnn.police.uk
01224 386743

Road Safety Officer

leslie.harrold@grampian.pnn.police.uk
01224 386732

Environment & Infrastructure Services

ewenk@roads.aberdeen.net.uk
01224 522911

Road Policing

Ian.Kirkwood@grampian.pnn.police.uk
01224 386743

Road Safety Officer

leslie.harrold@grampian.pnn.police.uk
01224 386732

AIP Unit

harry.laird@land.glasgow.gov.uk
0141 287 9367

Police Traffic Management

paul.fleming@strathclyde.pnn.police.uk
0141 532 6464

Road Safety Unit

bill.smith@land.glasgow.gov.uk
0141 287 9043

Design Team

angus.bruce@inverclyde.gov.uk
01475 714817

Road Policing

jim.igoe@strathclyde.pnn.police.uk
01475 492623

Road Safety Officer

01475 714800

Road User and Fleet Department

dsharp@scotborders.gov.uk
01835 825116

Traffic Branch

kenneth.buchanan@lbp.pnn.police.uk
0131 311 3418

Road Safety Manager

paul.richardson@lbp.pnn.police.uk
0131 316 6382

Central Scotland Roads Accident Investigation Unit ( CSRAIU)

frasera@stirling.gov.uk
01786 442727

Road Policing Unit

jim.allan@centralscotland.police.uk
01786 456505

Road Safety Officer

elaine.smith@centralscotland.police.uk
01786 456533