Conference lives up to expectations

A series of presentations from road safety officers from across the country was one of the highlights of the 2009 Road Safety GB national conference in Cambridge, 12-13 November.

Around 200 delegates and 18 exhibitors were shoe horned into the University Arms in Cambridge city centre. Having been fully subscribed for several weeks, expectation was high and the event didn’t disappoint.

The action-packed agenda included 26 speakers, ranging from a number of highly experienced presenters to some who had never before addressed an audience of this size.

Keynote speakers Dr Fiona Fylan and Dr Lisa Dorn, both readers in psychology, delivered brilliant presentations focusing on young drivers, and why they behave in a way that puts them at high risk on the roads.

However, equally impressive were the presentations given by practising RSOs from across the country, showcasing initiatives that they have developed and implemented in their area. These included:

• Tamsin Ferris, Cornwall Council, who talked about Twilight Trails, an initiative to communicate the Be Bright message to young primary pupils and their parents;

• Michelle Haward, Suffolk County Council, who outlined the GrandDriver programme;

• Rhiannon Leeds, Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety, who presented the Wasted Lives young driver programme;

• Georgina Martin (Devon County Council, who presented the Country Mile rural roads project;

• Sean Shiels, Nottingham City Council, who presented the Court in Time young driver initiative;

• Iain Temperton, Norfolk County Council, who gave an overview of motorcycling campaigns from across the eastern region;

• Rosemary Welch, Essex County Council, who explained how effective partnership working has enabled her authority to get back on track with regard to casualty reduction targets;

• And Alison Williams, Warwickshire County Council, who outlined the Live and Dangerous event for pupils transferring from primary to secondary school.

All the conference presentations will be available for download from the conference website from Tuesday 17 November.

The 2009 conference was hosted by Road Safety GB Eastern Region and supported by the Highways Agency and dbda.

The 2010 conference will be hosted by Road Safety GB Mercia Region, and will be held at Chesford Grange, nr Warwick, 16-17 November 2010.

Further information about the 2010 conference will be published early next year. Contact Nick Rawlings on 01379 650112 if you would like to be notified when this happens.

Footnote: Colan Ltd, one of the exhibitors at the conference, ran a prize draw at the event, which was won by Lancashire County Council – a bumper pack of reflective and fluorescent goodies is on the way to the road safety team there.