TRL, the Transport Research Laboratory, has partnered with Colas to launch a one day roadside working training course for professionals who have to operate or stop on the roadside. The course aims to help reduce the number of roadside injuries and fatalities by raising awareness of roadside working risks and arming workers with the knowledge they need to create and maintain a safer roadside working environment. Issues covered will include understanding how the choices and decisions professionals make can affect their safety and help prepare staff for contingencies and emergencies. The course will also cover the implications of driver distractions, such as mobile phone use, lone working and driver fatigue. For more information please contact: ryan.wood@colas.co.uk

Amey, is investing almost £1M in innovative fleet technology that has the potential to save lives by making its drivers more aware of cyclists and pedestrians. The company is starting the rollout of the technology on its fleet of over 100 refuse collection vehicles in London. They will be equipped with Cycle Safety Shield technology created by Israeli firm Mobileye. The system uses smart cameras and sensors to act as a driver’s third eye to monitor blind spots round the vehicles. The system also provides drivers with real-time visual and audible alerts as the risk of a collision increases.  When the rollout is complete, Amey will have around 200 vehicles equipped with this technology – making it one of the largest fleets in the UK to be fitted with this advanced system.

Venson helped to highlight BRAKE Road Safety Week last week with its latest research aimed at understanding drivers’ approach to road safety. When asked what one thing they would do to help with road safety while driving, the top answer from respondents was ‘be more patient (24%), with ‘giving themselves more time for journeys’ coming second (20%). Driving slower in bad weather conditions was the third highest answer (15%) in the Venson research.   Sticking to the speed limit came in fourth (13%), followed by staying further back from other vehicles and paying more attention to other road users – each receiving 12% of motorists’ votes. Surprisingly, giving cyclists more room when overtaking only got 1% of the vote.