News

23 April 2007
'DAY OF ACTION' ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN AIMED AT SCOTLANDS'S YOUNGER DRIVERS

YOUNG SCOTTISH DRIVERS and their passengers will be the focus of a 'day of action' on Monday, April 23 as Scottish police forces support the United Nation's "Global Road Safety Week" campaign during the last week in April.

"The United Nations Global Road Safety Week will be an important opportunity for the Scottish Police Service and its partner agencies to raise awareness of important road safety issues, particularly to young road users," said Chief Constable John Vine, Chair of the Road Policing Business Area for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS).

The U.N.'s week-long campaign, "Road Safety Is No Accident", (April 23-29) will highlight the fact that road safety happens not by accident but through the deliberate efforts of many individuals and sectors of society (government and non-government).

Worldwide, nearly 1.2 million people are killed each year as a result of road crashes. The second biggest cause of death among young people under 25 is road crash injuries.

While the theme for the U.N.'s safety campaign week will be on young road users, who constitute a major vulnerable group at risk on the road, the Scottish Police Service's 'day of action' will focus on seatbelt, speeding and drink/drugs driving issues in relation to young drivers (17 to 25).

"While road safety throughout Scotland has improved dramatically during the past decade, the number of younger drivers and child passengers killed or seriously injured is still unacceptably high," said Chief Constable Vine. "In the first three months of this year, 32 young people under 25 have been killed on our country's roads."

During the 24-hour 'day of action', all Scottish police forces will be focussing on drink / drug drivers, speeding and seatbelt usage with an emphasis on younger drivers. Forces will be carrying out a variety of activities during the balance of the week in support of the U.N. campaign. (A list of force activities in your readership, listening audience or viewer-ship areas is attached.)

"It is hoped that the actions resulting from both the ACPOS-focused day-long and the UN-backed week-long campaigns will not only benefit road users of all ages but particularly the under 25-year-olds," Mr. Vine added.

ACPOS' partner agencies in the United Nations' "Global Road Safety Week" campaign include RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents), Road Safety Scotland, IRSO (The Institute of Road Safety Officers), and SCOTS (The Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland).