Helping to deter drink driving with thought-provoking videos

All too often we hear in the news instances of lives being lost due to drink driving. Alcohol slows driver’s reactions, increases stopping distances, impairs judgement of speed and distance and affects vision. The more you drink, the more confident you become and the more likely you are to take risks – a potentially deadly mix when sitting behind the wheel.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has called for many years for the drink-drive limit to be reduced and for police to be given wider powers to conduct random breath tests. To help combat the culture of drinking and driving, RoSPA believes that a package of measures should be introduced, including: lowering the maximum blood alcohol limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg/100ml; evidential roadside breath testing; and wider powers for the police to breath test drivers to increase drivers’ perception of the risk of being caught without necessarily placing additional demands upon police resources, among others.

Helping to shine a light on the dangers of drinking and driving are pupils and students from across Wales, who entered the 2011 Multimedia Anti Drink Drive Competition, organised by Road Safety Wales. Groups of 11-25 year olds were invited to get together to devise, perform and record a live action multimedia presentation for RoSPA to help alert people against drink driving. The four regional winning entries made for thought-provoking viewing and took the form of an advert, news bulletin, film and music video, which earned the creators £500 for their school/college.

Yale College in Wrexham, North Wales, has entered the annual competition every year without fail since its inception four years ago. “A Lost Beauty” depicts the story of a young woman whose modelling aspirations are cut short as a consequence of drink driving.

Ysgol Maesydderwen in Ystradgynlais, Dyfed Powys, created a news bulletin titled “News for Numpties”, in which they focus on the core message that drink driving is dangerous, futile and can lead to life-changing consequences for families.

Spark Blaenymaes and Blaenymaes Primary School, in Swansea, South Wales, chose to portray the message that driving after “just one drink” can lead to tragic events. The piece reminds drivers that even a single alcoholic drink has a detrimental effect on their reaction time.

The winning entry for Gwent comes from Lewis School, Pengam, Caerphilly. Pupil and composer Richard Morgan teamed up with Amanda Leaver to produce this moving, original music video for their entry entitled “Find A Way”. The piece captures the sadness brought about by drink driving and conveys a serious message to viewers.

It is inspiring to see what can be achieved with little resources and lots of imagination, and fingers crossed these videos created by the youth of today will go some way towards stressing the importance of not drinking and driving.

Teenagers interested in learning more about safety on the road, at leisure, in the home or in the workplace should visit www.facebook.com/rospayouthnetwork?sk=wall

Michelle Harrington, road safety manager at RoSPA Wales

Help us to champion the case for lighter evenings

Time is running out – it’s official. On Friday, January 20, MPs will vote in the House of Commons on whether to back the Daylight Saving Bill. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents believes that a “yes” vote could bring benefits to all. So what are we waiting for?

The clock is ticking on the Daylight Saving Bill

A move to Single/Double Summer Time (GMT+1 in winter / GMT+2 in summer) would certainly be a good place to start in helping to make the UK’s road users significantly safer. Extra evening daylight protects vulnerable road users like children, the elderly, cyclists and motorcyclists, by making them more visible to motorists. And at the end of the working day, motorists’ concentration levels are often a lot lower, so a bit more afternoon/early evening light – especially in the winter – would help to lower the risk of an accident. It is therefore credible to suggest that any increase in casualties in the morning during the winter months would be outweighed by the reduction in casualties in the evenings – thanks to an hour of extra daylight.

Friday marks the third reading of the Bill, which passed its second reading in December 2010 with a huge majority. This feat means the push for lighter evenings is closer to succeeding now than at any time since 1970 – and our recent online opinion poll showed that 92 per cent of respondents supported the call for lighter evenings. The most recent research carried out by the Department for Transport showed that a move to SDST could reduce road deaths by around 80 per year and serious injuries by around 200 per year. There are also a host of other benefits to be had as a result of the proposed changes, with independent studies showing that a move to SDST would:

• Cut CO₂ emissions by 447,000 tonnes a year by reducing the need for electric lighting in the evenings
• Provide a £3.5bn boost to British leisure and tourism, creating up to 80,000 new jobs in the sector
• Reduce levels of obesity by allowing for more outdoor sport in the evenings
• Relieve the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder and similar conditions
• Reduce crime and the fear of crime (especially among the elderly).
  

  The all important vote will take place in the House of Commons on January 20, 2012.

This whole debate begs the question: What would you do with an extra hour of evening daylight? You could kick-start that exercise regime, go cycling, open up your business for longer, enjoy a family moment, mow the grass – and that’s just for starters. It is also worth mentioning, that at this stage, RoSPA is calling for more evidence for giving the UK its extra hour of evening daylight. The world has changed a great deal since the last experiment, which ran from 1968-71, when British Standard Time (GMT + 1) was employed all year round. Now it’s time to gain a fresh perspective for the 21^st century. Tourism chiefs in the Lake District are the latest to champion the Bill which they say will boost business, allowing attractions to stay open for longer and providing an opportunity to extend the tourism season. It’s a win-win!

So, over to you MPs – the ball is in your court. The nation is talking (and debating) on this matter. Is it not time to take a leap into the light? Whatever your view may be, here are a few thoughts and feelings from staff and students at the University of Birmingham to get you thinking:

 

To find out more and register support for RoSPA’s campaign, visit www.rospa.com/lighterevenings/

Charlotte Hester, RoSPA’s press officer/web editor

Don’t become another statistic – take action now against carbon monoxide poisoning

Losing a life to a silent, invisible gas doesn’t bear thinking about does it? Carbon monoxide doesn’t care how old you are, how healthy you are or where you live and its symptoms can often be confused with flu. But in a bid to raise awareness of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and Gas Safe Charity are launching the “Be Gas Safe” programme and are inviting potential partner organisations to get on board.

An example of a CO detector - have you got yours?

Rolling out across England this year, the programme will see 10,000 families receiving a free CO detector and many more receiving safety information. The deadline for organisations to register their interest in becoming local partners is the end of the month – so what are you waiting for? We are particularly interested in organisations that have regular and direct contact with key risk groups, such as families with young children and older people. Priority will be given to organisations in areas where there has been a higher incidence of CO poisoning per head of population or where particular concerns have been raised about gas safety. In return, you will receive an invitation to a briefing event highlighting gas safety issues and outlining the Be Gas Safe programme; a briefing pack on how to run a local Be Gas Safe programme; up to 100 CO detectors for distribution to vulnerable clients; and 1,000 I’m Staying Gas Safe leaflets.

Each year in England and Wales, there are approximately 50 accidental deaths, 200 non-fatal poisonings that require hospital admission and 4,000 visits to A&E that result from CO poisoning*. Children and older people are particularly at risk. With gas appliances and flues that have not been properly installed, maintained or ventilated known to be among the causes of CO poisoning, the key focus of the new three-year programme will be sharing information and advice about how to stay “gas safe” including through the regular servicing of fuel-burning appliances, good ventilation and the use of audible CO detectors.

Carbon monoxide - the "silent killer"

Is your home at risk? You can help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning by taking sensible precautions. Fuel-burning appliances should be serviced annually by a registered engineer to prevent a dangerous build-up of CO, which results from the burning of all fossil fuels – not just gas. Well ventilated rooms are also a must and chimneys and flues should be swept regularly. For gas appliances, use an engineer registered through Gas Safe Register for installation and annual services. Always check that an engineer’s capabilities, which are listed on the back of his or her identity card, include the job you want doing. If you live in rented property, ask your landlord to show you the property’s gas safety certificate. Homeowners are reminded than audible CO alarms should be used in addition to the other preventative actions and should not be relied upon as a single defence against CO.

It is important that employers, householders, landlords and tenants know the signs of the “silent killer” which has no smell. The symptoms tend to disappear as soon as you get outside into the fresh air when oxygen levels in the blood are restored. That recurring migraine you blamed on stress could be something a lot more sinister. Look out for the following symptoms: headaches, anxiety and depression, nausea, tiredness and drowsiness, dizziness, vomiting, heart palpitations, chest pain, personality change and clumsiness – and take appropriate action. Left undetected, the long term effects of CO poisoning can include paralysis and brain damage. Also look out for gas appliances burning with orange, instead of blue, flames; sooty stains on or near appliances; excessive condensation in the room; and coal or wood fires that burn slowly or go out. If you think there is an immediate danger to you, your family, tenants or organisation, make a call to the gas emergency helpline on 0800 111 999.

Spot the signs of CO poisoning

Potential partners across England who wish to join the three-year awareness programme and receive Be Gas Safe resources free of charge can download more information and an application form from the website – www.carbonmonoxidesafety.org.uk. Completed forms must be submitted by January 31, 2012, although it would be helpful if interested organisations could make prior contact with RoSPA, by emailing info@carbonmonoxidesafety.org.uk.

 

Check that the engineer is qualified to work safely and legally on gas appliances

Gas Safe Charity was established in 2009 by the Health and Safety Executive and Gas Safe Register, which is the official list of engineers who are qualified to work safely and legally on gas appliances.

*Figures quoted by the Department of Health (www.dh.gov.uk/health/2011/11/co-poisoning/).

Ashley Martin, RoSPA’s public health co-ordinator and Be Gas Safe programme manager

Help save children’s lives on the driveway with RoSPA’s checklist

Parking the car on the driveway is simple, right? You stop the car, put the handbrake on and go about your daily business. But what if you are attempting to park on an incline? Is there something that you might have missed?

RoSPA began looking into the safety of children in and around cars after it was approached by the family of Iain Goodwill who was killed when he was struck by a car on the driveway of his home near Inverness.

These few questions could help save a life. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is aware of 14 children who have been killed by a vehicle at home since 2006. There are also many more near misses and cases in which a child is injured, sometimes seriously. Some accidents have involved a driver pulling on to or off a driveway without seeing the child, and others happened when a child was able to move a car that had been parked in a driveway. Recently in the press, there have been reported cases of children being crushed by cars that rolled down on steep driveways. In these cases the brakes have been said to have failed as they cooled down causing the car to silently roll backwards, hitting a child in the process. Rule 252 of The Highway Code advises drivers to select a forward gear and turn the steering wheel away from the kerb when facing uphill. If facing downhill, drivers should select a reverse gear and turn their steering wheel towards the kerb. Alternatively, use “park” if the car has an automatic gearbox.

RoSPA began looking into the safety of children in and around cars after we were approached by the family of Iain Goodwill who was killed when he was struck by a car on the driveway of his home near Inverness. The family of the 17-month-old, who died in 2007, set up the Iain Goodwill Trust to hopefully prevent others enduring similar tragedies.

The majority of parents are unaware of the potential for an accident involving their children and a car at home, as we discovered when we conducted driveway safety research in 2010. The survey, run in conjunction with the Iain Goodwill Trust (www.iains-trust.org), focused on children being struck by cars on driveways. One of the main issues identified through the research was that parents and carers did not think an accident would happen to their family, unless they knew someone who had already experienced one, meaning they did not take simple precautions.

Of those who took part in the survey:

• 59 per cent could recall a time when their child had followed them out of the house on to the driveway without them realising
• 22 per cent had started to manoeuvre a vehicle on the driveway and realised their child was close to the car when they thought they were elsewhere
• 95 per cent reported temporarily leaving their children unattended in the car on the driveway while they “dashed back into the house” for something
• 42 per cent said their children had picked up the family car keys without being seen to do so.

However, 68 per cent believed it was unlikely that their child would ever be injured by a vehicle entering or leaving their driveway. And 83 per cent believed it was unlikely their child would ever be injured by a vehicle parked on their driveway.

So how can you protect your children on your driveway? Between the ages of one and two, children become more and more mobile, meaning they can easily escape a parent’s supervision. It is not until the age of four or five that children begin to understand the concept of danger, and begin to heed warnings given to them. By raising awareness, we can help to highlight the dangers and the risks we take and look at the safety measures that can be put in place to make sure that children are not killed or injured around cars.

We advise:

• Turning your steering wheel when you are parked in order to activate the steering lock – 22 per cent of respondents always activate the steering lock, but 36 per cent never do so
• Reversing on to your driveway (if you have one) so that you drive forwards when pulling away – 26 per cent of respondents never reverse on to their driveway when returning home
• Parking in gear if your driveway is not flat (first gear if facing uphill; reverse gear if facing downhill)
• Locking your car doors before going into the house – a small minority of respondents reported never locking their vehicle doors when parked outside the home
• Keeping your car keys out of reach of children – the majority of respondents reported keeping keys on a high-level shelf or other high place; however many said that they were aware they kept their keys in a place a child could easily access.

Adopting some of these safety tips sooner rather than later could make all the difference. Losing a life just yards from your front door is a very high price to pay for not being fully aware of the dangers – and this is where RoSPA can help.

For more advice on keeping children safe in and around cars visit http://www.rospa.com/RoadSafety/advice/incarsafety/info/children_in_cars.pdf

Kevin Clinton, RoSPA’s head of road safety