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SCOTLAND’S AUTHORITY ON ROAD SAFETY SUMMER 2019
DriveSmart focuses on young drivers
LISTEN TO
YOUR GRAN Road Safety
SCOTLAND
R
SC
WEBSITE DEVELOPMENTS
With the launch of the new Road Safety Due to the recent launch of Road Safety
Scotland website in late 2018, Scotland’s #DRIVESMART Young Drivers
www.roadsafety.scot, the next phase of campaign in the topics section of the
the website development work involved website, all topics pages of the site are now
the design and launch of the new Learning, being reviewed and updated with the latest
and Learning Zone sections. campaign messaging and artwork.
The Learning section provides a home for Debbie Nicol, from Road Safety
all the content that was migrated over from Scotland, said: “The benefits of the new
the individual learning resource websites and single domain will give strength to, and
provides information on Curriculum for increase awareness of, all road safety
Excellence (CfE) experiences and outcomes learning resources and campaigns.
relating to the interactive and activity-based “It will provide a better user experience
content. The Learning Zone is a dedicated area by creating a single site structure and a
that provides easy access to the interactive look and feel that is consistent across
content for each of the CfE learning levels. the site.”
contents
Towards 2030 Framework...................3
driVR awards...................................................3
Country Roads evaluation.....................4
Theatre in Education review................5
Police Scotland motorbike
safety campaign...........................................5
New DriveSmart campaign.............6-7
Breathtaking Roads video......................7
Cycling Scotland launch.........................8
Managing Occupational
Road Risk...........................................................8
Protecting horses.........................................9
Data-enabled breathalyser...................9
Interview with former Traffic
Commissioner for Scotland............. 10
EU driver assistance ruling..................11
Child car seat campaign......................12
My Journey with Ziggy pack..............12
Designed by Connect Publictions on behalf of
Road Safety Scotland. www.connectmedia.cc
4th Floor, Buchanan House, 58 Port Dundas
Road ,Glasgow, G4 0HF
www.roadsafety.scot
2 direction
TOWARDS A SAFETY
FRAMEWORK FOR 2030
T
he Scottish Government is review of the Framework in 2016 – Speed,
committed, through Scotland’s Age and Vulnerable Road Users –
Road Safety Framework to and an additional one to focus
2020, to achieving safer road on occupational road risk –
travel in Scotland. With this to develop a draft Road
Framework coming to an Safety Framework 2030
end in 2020 the that will go out to
Government wants to consultation at the
continue and build on end of the year.
this commitment. It is a Donna Turnbull, Road
crucial time for road safety Safety & Policy Framework
as we all strive to ensure we Manager at Transport
meet our current targets and Scotland, said: “This is very
develop the next framework to much the start of the conversation
2030 which will provide direction to we are having with our road safety
help achieve the vision where no one partners. We will discuss the risks to road
is killed on our roads. users we are going to encounter over the
Work is under way to identify risks and next 10 years, and consider how certain
develop new targets for the next 10 years things could influence road safety – such
until 2030. Four workshop groups have as new and emerging technology, Scotland’s
been created to look at the three current active travel agenda and the move to a low
key priority areas identified at the mid-term carbon economy.”
d r i V R awa r d w i n
S
afety Cameras Scotland’s innovative results announced at the RAC Club in
driVR programme, which uses virtual London at the beginning of May.
reality to engage 16-18 year olds in Jennifer Stark, Communications Officer
road safety, won the Best Education and with the West Safety Camera Unit based in
Training Initiative at the 2019 Young Glasgow, said: “We have been working on
Driver Road Safety Awards. the programme for a long time and it has
Organised by Road Safety GB, working involved a lot of hard work from our
in partnership with FirstCar and the RAC partners Police Scotland and Glasgow
Foundation, the awards recognise work Council, so it was great to get this
being developed to reduce crashes and recognition from industry experts.”
casualties caused by young, newly- The driVR programme was developed
qualified drivers. to engage S5-S6 pupils. Since its roll out
Seven projects were each shortlisted for to four schools in Glasgow, more than 200
the five categories of awards and the students have experienced the intervention.
Meredydd Hughes (Executive Chairman, Road Safety Support), Jennifer Stark
(Area Communications Officer, Safety Cameras Scotland), Simon McLaughlin
(Data Analyst, Safety Cameras Scotland) and James Evans (Founder, First Car)
summer 2019 3
changing
behaviours
R
oad Safety Scotland’s strategy to audience valued, and were excited by, new to complete their road trip in one piece.
‘show and not tell’ young men about technology, the campaign was based “Creative testing showed that
the dangers of speeding on country around a virtual reality (VR) film which respondents loved it and many admitted
roads has paid off, with research showing allowed young people to experience the that they know they should drive at an
the highest ever motivational score for a unexpected hazards of country roads appropriate speed – but only by
Road Safety Scotland campaign. through a VR simulator and also a experiencing the consequences of a near
Research of the ‘Prepare for the 360-degree film, which was ‘teased’ on miss would they learn a lesson.”
unexpected; slow down on country roads’ social media channels. The campaign launched on 31 May 2018
campaign showed that 77% of the target Claire Wood from advertising company and the immersive VR experience visited 16
group – 22-29 year olds – recognised the The Leith Agency said: “Virtual reality rural locations across Scotland, chosen for
campaign and 93% of them said they felt presented a unique opportunity to immerse high footfall among young men, and the
motivated to change their driving behaviours. our audience in a more creative form of 360-degree film was promoted by various
This response was achieved without ‘hazards perception’ training. The VR film social media activity.
traditional TV and cinema advertising by puts the user in the driving seat on a dark Research showed that the VR experience
using an integrated digital-led strategy country road, where they are surrounded by was a powerful tool in changing young
based around an immersive 360-degree mates’ ‘banter’ in the car and unexpected people’s driving behaviours as 79% of the
film which was leveraged across social hazards outside it. The driver is challenged viewers said they intended to reduce their
media channels, and supported with more speed in future compared to 54% of people
traditional media and PR activity. who saw the 360-degree film.
Liz Rockley, Senior Marketing Manager The campaign also used music to get the
with the Scottish Government, explained COUNTRY ROADS RESULTS message to its target audience,
the aims of the campaign and the strategy • Three quarters of road deaths in commissioning a track from DJ Jack Eye
taken: “Young men think they are excellent Scotland occur on country roads. Jones and singer/songwriter Nicky
drivers but they are more likely than any • Two-thirds of those killed or McDonald urging listeners to expect the
other age groups to be killed on the roads, seriously injured on Scotland’s unexpected on country roads. This song was
particularly on country roads. However, country roads were men. shared over social media and promoted by
academic research showed that telling • A third of those men were aged 22-29. Jones’ record label to 800 DJs.
young drivers to slow down would no longer When the campaign launched it was
cut it: they need to be shown that they BEHAVIOUR TARGET RESULTS covered in 39 publications, many of which
aren’t invincible so our communications to featured the moving story from Claire
this group was based around a ‘show, not 22-29 YEAR OLDS MacKenzie, whose brother died in a country
tell’ strategy.
WHO RECOGNISED 50% 77% road accident.
THE CAMPAIGN
“Our country roads campaigns in the Michael McDonnell, Director, Road Safety
past have been successful; our 2014 22-29 YEAR OLDS Scotland, said: “This country roads activity
David Coulthard campaign was the best WHO REALISED THAT exceeds all metrics and set the bar even
performing Scottish Government campaign ‘NOT ADJUSTING
60% higher than the David Coulthard campaign.
to date. However, while these campaigns SPEED ON A 55% Road Safety Scotland is delighted with
COUNTRY ROAD’
relied on tradition broadcast media, we IS ‘VERY SERIOUS’ the results and I am delighted to be
know that young men’s media of choice has associated with a superb campaign
changed over recent years so we needed a 22-29 YEAR OLDS delivered by an excellent and enthusiastic
‘digital first’ strategy to reach our audience FELT MOTIVATED 80% 93% team of dedicated professionals within the
where they spent most of their time.” TO CHANGE Scottish Government and the various
Since research showed how much this agencies involved.”
4 direction
RSS Theatre in Education evaluation
T
here can be no doubt that both driver and getting your first car. It
school children and adults alike follows the lives of four friends at
enjoy the theatre performances secondary school and into adulthood
developed by Road Safety Scotland (RSS) • Better Late than Dead on Time is
to deliver road safety messages, but how designed for all generations within
have these thought-provoking plays communities and looks at the impact
changed people’s road safety behaviours? of driver and pedestrian behaviour on
This is the goal of a comprehensive one family.
research project, currently under way and Dr Kate Skellington Orr, Director of
will be published in the summer. Research at KSO Research, said: “We’ve
Mairi Blair from RSS said: “The been assessing road safety knowledge
evaluation of our Theatre in Education (TiE) before and after the performances and
programme seeks to explore if the current checking on people’s attitudes three
activities are fit for purpose in helping to • The Journey (Primary 6 or 7): explores months later to assess if and how the plays
protect children and young people as some developing relationships between a might impact on people’s road safety
of Scotland’s most vulnerable road users. group of young friends as they journey behaviours. Having attended many of these
As an impact evaluation, the project through primary school towards plays in schools, as well as in community
specifically seeks to explore the impact secondary school and looks at different venues, it is obvious that people are
that the performances have on their influences on their behaviour engaged with and enjoy the experience, but
audience’s attitudes towards road safety, as • School Daze (Secondary 1): focuses the aim of our research will be to assess
well as capturing any self-reported change on peer influence and personal choice the real impact of these messages.”
in behaviour that may result.” in relation to relationships and She added: “Most of the adults initially
The TiE programme, which has been risk-taking at the point of transition to thought that road safety messages were
running for many years, consists of four secondary school just for children, but after the play many
plays, which have been delivered by the • Friends Disunited (Secondary 5/6): admitted that they had actually learnt
Baldy Bane Theatre Company for the past deals with the enjoyment and something new. It just shows that road
three years: responsibilities involved in becoming a safety is for everyone.”
PROMOTING BIKE
SAFETY MESSAGES
Once again, the Police Scotland and
Road Safety Scotland stand at the
Scottish Motorcycle Show at Ingliston
in March was busy promoting road
safety to the country’s motorcycling
POLICE SCOTLAND MOTORBIKE CAMPAIGN fraternity. Representatives from both
organisations were on hand to discuss
safety issues and give out information
The Police Scotland Motorcycle Safety also include checks of MoT certificates and to signpost riders to the wide range of
Campaign was launched in April at the insurance cover. riding advice and videos available.
Grampian Transport Museum in Alford, Superintendent Louise Blakelock, Deputy Inspector Ian Paul, of Police
Aberdeenshire, to urge motorcyclists to Head of Road Policing at Police Scotland, Scotland’s National Motorcycle Unit,
ride safely as bikers prepare to get back on said: “Although motorcyclists make up only said: “We’ve been partnering with Road
the road for the summer season. one per cent of the motoring public they Safety Scotland at this event for many
The campaign, which will draw on Road account for around 20 per cent of the years as it is an excellent way to
Safety Scotland’s successful ‘Breathtaking people killed in road crashes, often during engage informally with motorcyclists
Roads’ campaign – short films which cornering or overtaking manoeuvres. and to promote positive road safety
showcase Scotland’s spectacular motorcycle Motorcyclists are more vulnerable than messages just before the start of
routes while encouraging bikers to share other motorists as the smallest of errors, by motorbike season.”
best practice riding tips – will promote safe rider or driver, can lead to very serious
and responsible motorcycling. consequences, particularly when higher
During the campaign, which runs until speeds are involved.”
September, Police Scotland will organise a The campaign will be supported by the
number of special ‘Weekends of Action’, Area Safety Camera Units and will include
where road policing officers will be out deploying a specially equipped motorcycle
engaging with bikers to ensure their which has all the functionality of a Safety
machines have been properly maintained Camera van, including forward-facing
over the winter and are fit for use. This will speed cameras.
summer 2019 5
drivesmart with your gran i
W
ould you take risks and drive Michael McDonnell, Director of Road behaviours such as excessive or
irresponsibly with your Gran in Safety Scotland, said: “Young men are inappropriate speeding, mobile phone
the car? This is the message from prone to over-confidence in their abilities, use, driving after taking drink/drugs, the
the new DriveSmart campaign which is a misplaced sense of control and a desire influence of mates and not anticipating
targeting the risk-taking driving behaviours to push themselves and their cars to hazards.
of young men in their twenties. the limits. Michael added: “This campaign will
The campaign suggests that a good “Men aged between 21 and 30 have the address some of the key contributing factors
talking-to from their loveable but plain- highest rate of motoring offences and that lead to casualties on Scotland’s roads in
speaking Gran would encourage young men speeding offences in Scotland. They are a way that young men will take notice of.
to think about driving more safely and taking more likely than other adults to engage in Next time the drivers see themselves
fewer risks, such as texting while driving, risky driving behaviours – such as speeding slipping into bad habits, they should imagine
speeding, drinking or taking drugs before and drink-driving – that lead to themselves Gran is in the car with them.”
driving, and being distracted by noisy friends. or others being killed or seriously injured. “ The ‘always-on’ media will include
It asks young men to consider how they Primary research conducted with Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Spotify and
would stay in control of the car if their Gran this group of drivers revealed that Twitter, while the campaign will also
was a passenger, building on research they often reject the driving style feature in targeted TV and cinema
findings that young men drive more they used as a learner as advertising addressing speed and
carefully if they have ‘precious cargo’ – such unrealistic for the real driving in-car distractions this summer,
as a family member – in the car with them. world. They see speed limits as before focusing on drug-driving
The quirky campaign tells young drivers: guidelines and they feel some during autumn and drink-driving over
“Roads are unpredictable and life is full of situational factors that contribute to the festive period. For the first time,
distractions, but help is at hand. You’ll have safe driving (e.g. time, place, RSS is serving adverts on Twitch
met Gran. She’s no-nonsense and pops up company) are out of their – Amazon’s live streaming
in the least likely of places. Driving like she’s control. video platform – to reach even
in the car with you is a great way to The new strategy sets out more young men, who are
#DRIVESMART.” to frame perceptions of a one of the biggest audiences
Running until March 2020, the campaign good driver and to remind for this channel.
from Road Safety Scotland marks a new young men that a good Field marketing will take
strategic approach, moving away from the driver is a safe driver; one the campaign out to areas
‘Don’t Risk It’ message, which no longer who is in control. This will with high footfalls of young
feels relevant to young men because they influence their willingness men over the summer,
enjoy taking risks while driving. to accept or undertake risky while PR, social media
6 direction
ride safely
as a group
F
ollowing the success of last year’s and during overtaking, and the evaluation
Breathtaking Roads motorbike safety shows how the campaign has exceeded all
campaign, another film has been SMART targets and demonstrated
produced that highlights the skills required evidence of attitudinal change.
to ride as part of a group. Bikers suggested “The Breathtaking Roads 2019
this topic during last year’s evaluation of campaign will build on learnings from
the campaign, as around half of 2018 and we will re-use existing assets
motorcyclists enjoy riding with others. and continue with our peer-led
Independent evaluation of the 2018 communications approach.
Breathtaking Roads campaign showed “However, to enhance the
94% of bikers who had seen it claimed to communications strategy further, we
have changed their riding behaviour (versus have created a new film for social media
a campaign target of 66%). Other positive focusing on the skills required to ride safely
riding behaviours highlighted by the as part of a group, which was requested by
evaluation included 39% of riders saying bikers in our evaluation.
they would be more patient when “We also plan to develop new
overtaking, 34% would approach bends partnerships and increase our presence at
more carefully and 33% would approach key Scottish biking events. We will also be
junctions more carefully. increasing advertising along key biking
in the car
Liz Rockley, Senior Marketing Manager routes in Scotland to reinforce safety
with the Scottish Government, said: “To messages at the point of riding, particularly
date, our films have focused on the skills with older bikers who may be less likely to
required to remain in control of a see digital advertising.”
motorbike, particularly at bends, junctions The new Group Ride video was filmed at
activity and extensive partnership and the Devil’s Beef Tub in Moffat, which is on a
stakeholder outreach will target local popular bikers’ route around the Borders.
authorities, emergency services, social
media influencers and partners in the “We have created a Like the others, the new film captures the
beauty and freedom of riding a bike
private sector including local football
clubs and cinemas.
new film for social through Scotland’s amazing scenery while
focusing on the hazards that riders need
The Scottish Government and Road
Safety Scotland are determined that
media focusing on the to be aware of, as well as the safety
issues when it comes to riding as part of
young men are most receptive to skills required to ride a group. The film and related marketing
communications that increase their material will be launched at some point
sense of control over the car, because safely as part of a during the summer.
they acknowledge they can always
improve their driving skills. Insight group, which was
For more information, visit
found that that the campaign needed
to reframe young men’s perceptions
requested by bikers
https://livefastdieold.scot/
of safe behaviour in the car in order to
influence their willingness to speed
in our evaluation”
and to heighten their belief that there
is action they can take to remain in
control of the car regardless of
situational factors.
Liz Rockley, Senior Marketing
Manager with the Scottish
Government, said: “This new marketing
approach for DriveSmart reinforces
the challenge to follow best practice
when driving on the roads. It also aims
to deliver a more focused campaign
that resonates more strongly with the
audience where the issues of speeding
and other negative behaviours are
most prevalent.”
summer 2019 7
(From left) Inspector Andrew Thomson (Police
Scotland); Cycling Scotland Chief Executive Keith
Irving; Michael Matheson (Cabinet Secretary for
Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity); and
Cycling Scotland Head of Communications Denise
Hamilton at the launch of the road safety campaign
alerting drivers
to the consequences
C
ycling Scotland launched a new safety • Knowledge of the amount of space that unaware that you can be stopped by the
campaign in May aimed at making should be allowed is good, but many police for driving carelessly or dangerously
people aware of the consequences admitted that they don’t always follow around a person on a bike, and potentially get
of driving dangerously close to people on the advice three points on your licence and a £100 fine.”
bikes. TV and social media adverts used • Personal priorities, impatience and sense Of four tested advertising scripts, all
footage shot from the perspective of of entitlement are at the forefront of responded most positively to a campaign
different people cycling to bring home the driver’s thinking when on the road focused on raising awareness of the need to
frightening experience of being overtaken • Lack of understanding of the law and give space to people cycling or risk a
too closely by a car. penalties around driving near people three-point penalty and up-to £100 fine.
The new campaign is a development of cycling means that drivers don’t have ‘top All of the focus group participants were
the charity’s previous campaign – Give of mind’ concern about consequences also unaware of Operation Close Pass run by
Everyone Cycle Space – which highlighted • Some believe poor cycling behaviours Police Scotland. This involves an undercover
the need for vehicle drivers to give cyclists excuse poor driving behaviours officer cycling along a known ‘close pass’
at least 1.5 metres of space when passing • Low awareness that passing someone hotspot and reporting vehicles that drive
them on the road. There were 729 reported riding a bike too closely was an offence dangerously close. A police team further up
road casualties for people cycling in 2017. • Some assumed it was good manners and the road flags the offending driver down
The charity conducted focus groups in courtesy to give space. where the dangerous nature of their driving
Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow in Denise Hamilton, Head of is discussed, with an educational mat that
December 2018 to understand why some Communications at Cycling Scotland, said: shows the correct amount of space to give.
people drive dangerously and/or carelessly “We explored what would motivate people to Denise added: “People don’t fully
around people on bikes and what might change their driving behaviour and what understand the impact of a close pass on a
make them change their behaviour. resonated most were the legal consequences person cycling, and how scary and
The results included the following insights: for them. We also found that drivers were dangerous that can be.”
MANAGING OCCUPATIONAL ROAD RISK
With more employees killed in ‘at-work road rolling by providing free resources to small
accidents’ than in all other occupational to medium-sized companies to help them
accidents, the Scottish Government has develop a suitable policy.
espoused its future aspiration that every ScORSA is currently on a membership
organisation it works with will have a drive to increase the number of SMEs using
Managing Occupation Road Risk policy. its free resources to develop their own
The Scottish Occupational Road Safety occupational road user risk policies.
Alliance (ScORSA) has started the ball Sandy Allan, Road Safety Manager with
8 direction
© BHS
Data-enabled
breathalysers
PROTECTING HORSES
Police Scotland is now able to get
quick access to national data on
drink-driving incidents thanks to the
roll out of data-enabled breathalysers.
R
ecent research by the British app records no personal data during During the most recent festive
Horse Society (BHS) suggests its trial period, BHS is still encouraging drink-drive campaign, Road Policing
that nearly two horses are killed riders to continue reporting incidents officers used the new technology to
each week on UK roads, with 845 to its horse accidents website allow them to record a range of
incidents involving horses and drivers (www.bhs.org.uk). information directly into their devices
reported to the BHS last year – an In the last year, 87 horses and four at the roadside and later upload the
increase of 109% compared to the people have been killed while riding on data to a central server for analysis.
previous year. the roads and 73% of incidents Constable Aileen Walker, from the
The BHS collates statistics each year reported occurred due to vehicles Road Police Management Support Unit,
to understand the rate of incidents passing by too closely. said: “These new data-enabled devices
involving horses and riders on UK roads Alan Hiscox, Director of Safety at are not only screening devices to
and is currently working with the Huufe the BHS said: “The dramatic increase enable an officer to detect suspected
riders reward app over six months to in incidents is of huge concern, but we levels of alcohol in the breath, but they
trial new functionality that allows users are aware that only 1 in 10 accidents is also permit the officer to input details
to report incidents easily and quickly. reported to us, therefore these figures of everyone they breathalyse such as
The app (https://huufe.com) allows are only the tip of the iceberg. We will age, sex, ethnicity and the reasons for
the user to select the type of incident continue to promote our key Dead Slow stopping their vehicle. As this data is
they were involved in while also messages and strive to ensure all stored centrally, we can easily use the
recording the location and time. As the vulnerable road users are kept safe.” information to work with Road Safety
Scotland to develop more targeted
drink-drive campaigns and market
If I see a horse on the road, then I will: more appropriately.”
KEY MESSAGES 1. Slow down to a maximum of 15mph Police Scotland is also looking at
The BHS launched its ‘Dead Slow’ 2. Be patient – do not sound my horn increasing the functionality of the
road safety campaign to help or rev the engine data-enabled breathalysers, such as
better educate drivers on how to 3. Pass the horse wide and slow, (if including the location of the incident
pass horses on the road. safe to do so) at least a car’s width if to see if this will add value to the data
The key messages to drivers are: possible it is collecting.
4. Drive slowly away. At the moment, only Road Policing
officers have been issued with the
devices, but there are plans to roll out
the data-enabled breathalysers to all
divisions across Scotland later this year.
Road Policing Inspector, Vinnie
RoSPA and co-ordinating the ScORSA organisations will have policies for employees Fisher, said: “Once the new
marketing campaign, said: “Driving is the using machinery and tools within the breathalysers are rolled out across all
most dangerous work activity that most workplace, many do not have specific policies divisions we will be able to capture data
people do. Between a quarter and a third of for reducing the risk while driving.” for every breath test that is undertaken
road collisions involves someone who is ScORSA provides a wide range of free in Scotland.
driving for work purposes. The HSE say that resources to help organisations develop a “This will make our reporting of
‘health and safety law applies to on-the-road policy to manage occupational road risk. drink-drive incidents much more
work activities as to all work activities and the efficient and streamlined, and will give
risks should be effectively managed within a F or more information, visit us a far richer picture of the situation
health and safety system’. However, while www.scorsa.org.uk across Scotland.”
summer 2019 9
Joan Aitken training
for another Transaid
charity bike ride
“I’ve always deeply
admired legislation which
is focused on keeping
working people safe and
that feeling has walked
with me my whole
professional life”
very high cause of road traffic incidents.
I was also quick off the mark in 2011 in
regulating
getting Scotland’s police forces to start
reporting mobile phone offending by
professional drivers.
One of my other successes was to
the roads get the law to recognise that Traffic
Commissioners need the power to work in a
preventative role, and not wait until someone
has been killed or seriously injured before we
can take action against an operator or driver.
Direction magazine talks to the former Traffic Commissioner for Traffic Commissioners do use their powers
to revoke the licences of operators and
Scotland, Joan Aitken, on her 16 years in the role regulating the drivers who show a reckless attitude or
commercial vehicle sector and her contributions to road safety pattern of behaviour towards road safety.
Of course, cases can be appealed but
fortunately the appeal bodies upheld my
How did your previous experience account for the punctuality and reliability of decisions to take a preventative approach.
prepare you for the role of Traffic local bus services. The criteria for getting a The human element is so important in this
Commissioner? licence are rigorous but are there to anchor role. It is the attitude of an operator or a
I’m a solicitor by profession and chaired road safety, as well as encourage fair driver which can be the greatest threat to
various tribunals and qualified as a mediator. competition and care for the environment. road safety. That is why it is not just about
For four years I was the Scottish Prison Traffic Commissioners get reports from whether the vehicles are roadworthy but how
Complaints Commissioner – these are roles the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency they are going to be used; whether chances
where lots of people don’t always want you (DVSA) and the police about infractions, as will be taken with speed or loading or fatigue
to find out the truth! well as complaints from operators and or mobile phone use or such like.
So I see the qualities that I used in my anonymous tip-offs. These tips can be
previous jobs, such as an inquiring mind, the essential clues in DVSA investigations. If What was your reaction to finding out
ability to probe and an acute sense of the evidence shows that operators are not you had been awarded an OBE?
importance of evidence, together with a keeping their vehicles roadworthy or not The citation is actually for services to the
sense of fairness and an interest in people, giving their drivers time off, or that drivers are Scottish transport system and to road safety.
as ideal for the role of Traffic Commissioner. not respecting safety measures, then they This gave me great joy because it recognised
Also, when I was a young law apprentice, could lose their licence or get disqualified. that I did not just look at vehicles but I had
the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 contributed to improving bus services and
came into force. I’ve always deeply admired In what areas have you been able to transport overall. I was also pleased to be
that legislation which is focused on keeping contribute to road safety? recognised for my contribution to road safety
working people safe and that feeling has Without a shadow of a doubt, I contributed to and especially as I have been involved with
walked with me my whole professional life. the professionalisation of these industries and the charity Transaid for many years.
to the enhancement of respect for road safety.
How would you explain the role? When I arrived, there was a degree of What are you involved with now?
There’s a very simple answer to that: if you complacency and people worked to industry I’ve recently joined the Board of Transaid as
want to put a lorry or bus on the road you have averages where more than one in five a Trustee and I’m looking forward to helping
to get a licence from the Traffic Commissioner. vehicles were failing their annual test. I the charity with its international development
Traffic Commissioners license two critical wanted a 100% pass for all vehicles because work. I’ve also developed a love of cycling
industries: road haulage carrying goods, and an operator should be able to keep their and I’ve been involved in two of the past
buses and coaches carrying people. These vehicles in top condition all the year round. Transaid five-day 300-mile cycle charity
are two industries that are important to the It was a great wake up call, and we challenges in Africa with another to train for
economic success of the country and developed this further by focusing on driver in Malawi in 2020. I got into cycling almost
fundamentally important to people’s safety wellbeing and demanding that operators had by chance so I am looking forward to what
on the roads. Traffic Commissioners are also systems in place to ensure drivers were other chances and surprises might come
responsible for holding bus operators to properly rostered, because driver fatigue is a my way.
10 directionE U r u l in g o n s a f e t y a n d
driv e r a s s is ta n c e f e a t u r e s
EU proposals for autonomous vehicle safety measures could help commitment to have fully self-driving vehicles
Scotland reduce ‘Killed and Seriously Injured’ on the roads. on UK roads by 2021”.
Transport Scotland is also working with
T
he new EU rules adopted on 16 April safety measures on Scotland’s roads. He said: partners on a pioneering £6 million trial of
by the European Parliament will “As far as Scotland is concerned, this new autonomous buses on the trunk road between
make advanced safety equipment ruling has the potential to save around seven Fife and Edinburgh for start up in 2020.
mandatory in all new road vehicles sold on fatalities and 39 serious injuries per year based Project CAV Forth will trial full-size single-
the EU market. They are likely to apply on the proportion of Scotland’s share of the decker buses operating at Level 4* autonomy
from May 2022 for new models and from European population. This means we could along a 14-mile route between Ferrytoll Park &
May 2024 for existing models. The aim is dramatically reduce serious injuries by almost Ride and Edinburgh Park Train and Tram
to reduce road casualties. 2.5% from current figures – so it seems really interchange, and will provide a world-leading
The UK’s Department for Transport has positive on the road safety side. We are demonstration of UK autonomous bus
confirmed that these measures will also be currently trying to forecast the impact of these capability.
adopted in the UK. technologies based this time on the future In the meantime, the UK government is
The EU has admitted that progress on Scottish fleet and our road casualties to firm preparing the regulatory landscape through
reducing EU-wide road fatalities has stagnated up the initial casualty reduction assessment.” the Law Commission of England and Wales,
in recent years, and that its objective of halving The EU package of measures would the Scottish Law Commission and the Center
road fatalities between 2010 and 2020 is now mandate vehicle manufacturers to install for Connective and Autonomous Vehicles
an “extreme challenge”. As a result, the EU is for example advanced emergency braking examining options for regulating automated
proposing a new policy framework for systems, intelligent speed assistance, road vehicles into a modern and robust
2021-2030 with a long-term goal of moving emergency lane-keeping systems, driver package of law reforms promoting automated
close to zero fatalities and serious injuries by drowsiness and distraction warning, vehicles and their use.
2050, with an interim target of minus 50% advanced driver distraction warning and Bertrand said: “It’s all positive for road safety
between 2020 and 2030. reversing detection systems. Intelligent in general, but with the caveat that all these
The EU’s proposals focus on both vehicle speed assistance makes a driver aware new technologies need to be developed with
safety and infrastructure safety, and together when exceeding the speed limit. In the early improving road safety at the heart, and that’s
are forecast to save 10,500 lives and avoid stage of the rollout, the EU is proposing an why the law commission review is looking at
59,600 serious injuries over 2020-2030. on/off switch, which would allow the system the type approval regime to allow the industry
Vehicle safety will be based around making to be overridden by pushing down on the to produce and market
safety and driver assistance technologies accelerator. All new cars would also be autonomous vehicles in
mandatory, which it is estimated will save fitted with event data recorders to register the safest way.”
7,300 lives and avoid 38,900 serious injuries data shortly before, during and immediately *Level 4: an
over the ten-year period, while the after a road collision. The processing of automated driving
infrastructure safety management work will personal data through the event (collision) system which can
include network-wide risk mapping and data recorder will be undertaken for perform the dynamic
reinforced provisions for vulnerable road users. collision data research only and will comply driving task without
Bertrand Deiss, Head of Road Safety Policy with personal data protection rules. requiring a user to be
at Transport Scotland, welcomed the EU The UK government already has ambitious receptive to
decision and his team is currently assessing plans to launch autonomous cars and recently requests to
the ramifications of adopting such vehicle announced that it was “on track to meet its intervene. Bertrand Deiss
summer 2019 11Child car seats
MY JOURNEY
WITH ZIGGY PACK
to be checked Following the revamp of the Road Safety
Scotland (RSS) website, the popular My
Journey With Ziggy pack has been
relaunched to Early Learning and
Initiative will help ensure youngsters’ safety on the move Childcare centres (ELC centres) and
Primary 1 teachers.
The events are designed to The pack, which includes a Ziggy soft
help families to be safe toy and journey diary contained in a
bright reflective drawstring bag, has been
developed to help practitioners, parents
and carers bring road safety learning to
life. To obtain the pack, teachers and
childcare practitioners first register on the
Ziggy pages on the RSS website and are
asked to conduct some simple road
safety lessons with their children before
taking them on a walk outside. Using the
Ziggy’s Big Day Out Guide, which is
downloadable from the website, they can
record aspects of their journey to help tell
their story. They then upload their story to
the website with photos or drawings from
the day. Once the story is uploaded and
approved, the My Journey With Ziggy
pack will be sent out.
C
hild car seat specialist, Good Egg Car appropriate car seats from the very Mairi Blair from RSS said: “The My
Safety, is expanding its popular beginning is so important, not only in Journey With Ziggy pack has proved
Community Checking Events keeping them safe in the present, but it popular with ELC centres and primary
throughout Scotland to include 10 Police plays a vital role in creating future schools since it was launched in the
Enforcement Days, thanks to support from generations of vehicle occupants who 2016-17 school year.
Police Scotland and Road Safety Scotland. are used to being restrained for safety “For the 2017-18 school year we
Good Egg experts will work alongside while travelling.” wanted to increase engagement
the police and undertake random checks The first of Good Egg’s Community opportunities for ELC centres and
on cars carrying children to check the Checking Events kicked off in Falkirk at the Primary 1 classes, so we introduced a
suitability of the child car seats or restraints end of March and car seat checking events competition element to the activity:
used in them. This activity will be in addition are planned to run across major towns in Ziggy’s Big Competition.
to the 46 free child car seat community Scotland until the beginning of September. “As well as going out for a walk, classes
events over the summer at high footfall At these events the Good Egg team were also asked to submit a film or
venues across Scotland. provides not only free child seat checks recording of the children doing the Ziggy
Jan James, CEO of Good Egg, explained: and fitting guidance, but also offers the song and dance. Our research showed
“Whenever we partner with the police on award-winning Good Egg Car Safety Guides that the Ziggy’s Big Competition activity
mandatory checks, we sadly almost always and supporting materials for families to did appear to encourage the increased
find a much higher incorrect fitment rate take away. Furthermore, information use of the website, in particular the
than our standard checks. leaflets are provided which direct parents resources for teachers. This evaluation
“This is because those parents who to Good Egg’s extensive online resources will be considered by RSS’s Learning
voluntarily attend are already concerned for more information. Advisory Group and will provide a steer
with child seat safety and are proactively Good Egg’s website hosts a popular ‘ask on future engagement with teachers.
seeking guidance and reassurance. The the expert’ service which provide families “In the meantime,
families we often meet at police checks are with free personalised advice and also the My Journey
not as focused on safety and the results details all the forthcoming venues across the With Ziggy pack
evidence that. These much-needed Police UK for the free Community Checking Events. activity has been
Enforcement Days will run between May Jan added: “We provide free videos on refreshed for the
and September and are designed to offer our Facebook and social media platforms remainder of the
advice and support to parents, grandparents to show parents how to easily and quickly school year and
and carers who drive with children. No rectify common fitting problems and every into the
tickets will be issued by the police for local authority in the UK has a free digital 2019-20
non-compliance on these occasions.” platform featuring our Good Egg In-Car year.”
Michael McDonnell, Director of Road Safety Guide, thanks to support from the
Safety Scotland, has been involved from the Arnold Clark Group. All you need to do is For more information visit:
beginning of this campaign. He added: visit www.digital.goodeggsafety.com and roadsafety.scot/ziggys-big-day-out
“Having children in correctly-fitted and enter the name of your own local authority.”
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