SAVING lives on Carmarthenshire’s road will be the focus of four new safety schemes.

From workshops for school children to researching driving behaviour from different groups of motorists, it is hoped the schemes will reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads of Dyfed-Powys this year.

In the first six months of 2015, more than 600 people were killed or injured on Dyfed-Powys roads. The schemes, which are being funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon, are the result of a public survey, carried out last year by Mr Salmon which saw the public saying that they wanted road users to improve their attitudes towards safety.

Three of the schemes will inspire better road behaviour and attitudes amongst younger road users, the fourth will encourage improved driving by older motorists. The schemes will cost around £154,000.

Mr Salmon said: “I want my Road to Safety programme to protect all road users; these first initiatives focus on those who are most at risk on roads across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys.

“Too many people die or are badly hurt on our roads; working with trusted expert partners I want to make Dyfed-Powys a safer place.”

One scheme, from Performance in Education, is a programme of bilingual multi-media performances and workshops for all secondary schools across Dyfed-Powys. It aims to improve road safety behaviour and attitudes.

Another, from Dyfed-Powys Police, will produce research which will lead to new schemes to keep young drivers safe.

The third is from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. It will see emergency service partners reduce speed and anti-social driving by working directly with young people likely to get involved in such incidents.

The fourth, from Dyfed-Powys Police, will produce research which will lead to new schemes to keep older drivers safe.

The schemes will operate through 2016 as part of Mr Salmon’s Road to Safety programme. He is also reinvesting around £180,000 of Road to Safety funding in roads policing.

Mr Salmon added: “I had some great ideas on keeping road users safe and I’ve chosen the best. My Road to Safety scheme will improve the lives of our communities by reducing the number of road casualties.

“I and Dyfed-Powys Police continue to work hard to preserve life but the public also have a great role to play in keeping all of us safe.

“I ask drivers, bikers and cyclists to consider the importance of road safety. The people best able to affect the safety of road users – weather and road surface included – are road users themselves.

“One death is one too many – I urge caution and care by all.”

 

The Dyfed-Powys Road to Safety schemes in full:

 

Performances for secondary school students

A programme of bilingual multi-media performances and workshops delivered to all Dyfed-Powys secondary schools by specialists Performance in Education.

It also aims to have a positive impact on one or more of the Fatal Five contributory factors to road incidents - drink and drugs, speed, carelessness, poor use of seat belts and using mobile phones at the wheel.

Cost: £65,000. More: pie.uk.com.

 

Research into young driver behaviour

This scheme will research how and why young people make decisions when at the wheel – and how agencies such as the police can best communicate with them. It is hoped that it will lead to the development of new initiatives which will help young adults change their actions.

The aim is to make young drivers confident in making safe decisions and encouraged to address behaviours deemed to be risky.

Cost: £12,702. More: dyfed-powys.police.uk

 

Events for young people at risk

This scheme, from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWW), will see them work with partners such as the police and ambulance services.

Together, they will focus on reducing speed and anti-social driving by hosting events with vulnerable young people who may be susceptible to being involved in such incidents.

The expected outcomes include a greater awareness of road safety amongst those aged 16-24.

Cost: £59,814. More: mawwfire.gov.uk

 

Research into older driver behaviour

The aim is to make older drivers confident in making safe decisions and encouraged to address behaviours deemed to be risky.

The expected outcomes include an improved attitude and behaviour towards road safety, an increase in road safety awareness amongst older drivers and a reduction in road deaths or serious injuries.

Cost: £16,402. More: dyfed-powys.police.uk