A pilot awareness scheme about mobility scooter safety is being launched by Cardiff Council’s Road Safety Team, in conjunction with The Wales Mobility and Driving Assessment Centre at Rookwood Hospital.

It’s the first scooter safety course to be set up in Wales. The aim of the Scooter Safe seminar is to advise people on safety issues relating to the safe use of mobility scooters and to assist people on how to use their mobility scooter, together with advice on the law and the Highway Code.

The seminar consists of a classroom theory session followed by a practical training session at the Road Safety Centre at Maindy.

The event will take place on Friday 9^th March between and 1pm and 4pm.

For further information about the pilot course and future courses, contact the Road Safety Centre on 029 2078 8521.

See more information: Mature Driver Refresher Seminars

Read our advice on winter driving.

What is in the law?

Children under 3 years MUST use the child restraint appropriate for their weight in any vehicle (including vans and other goods vehicles). There is only one exception:

A child under three may travel unrestrained in the rear of a taxi if the right child restraint is not available. Rear-facing baby seats MUST NOT be used in a seat protected by a frontal air-bag unless the air-bag has been deactivated manually or automatically.

In vehicles where seat belts are fitted, children 3 years to 135 cms in height (approx 4ft 5ins) MUST use the appropriate child restraint.

Three exceptions allow these children to travel in the rear and use an adult belt:

in a taxi, if the right child restraint is not available
for an occasional journey over a short distance, if the right child restraint is not available
where two occupied child seats in the rear prevent the fitment of a third child seat
For further information about the fitting and wearing of seat belts and child restraints or a free leaflet Law contact the Road Safety Centre Tel: 20619907/8 or visit the child car seat web-site

http://www.childcarseats.org.uk

Set a good example to your child(ren) – always wear a seat belt

RoSPA also have an excellent informative website, please click the link below.

http://www.childcarseats.org.uk

Did you know that 70% of children’s car seats are fitted incorrectly

Get yours checked FREE

Details of the 2010 car seat checking programme at Cardiff superstores will be announced in due course.

Under Sections 64 and 65 of The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, special permission has been obtained from the Welsh Assembly Government to place these green cones on the carriageway to enforce existing carriageway markings. Any motorist who moves or drives over a cone may be liable to prosecution.

Parking a short distance away from the school removes traffic congestion, provides health benefits and encourages parents to interact with their children on a range of pedestrian safety issues.

More than forty schools across Cardiff are now involved in the scheme. These include.

Albany Primary

Marlborough Infant and Junior

Severn Primary

St Mary’s Canton

Eglwys Wen

Melin Gruffydd

Etc.

Mobile phones and driving don’t mix

It is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone when driving and the penalties have gone up. Drivers breaking the law will now recieve a £60 fine and penalty points on their license.

Mobile phones have many benefits. They provide security and can be a great help in an emergency. But research has shown a driver cannot help being distracted by a phone call or text message. If you are distracted, you will not register hazards or react quickly. A conversation on a hands-free phone is no less distracting than using a hand-held one.

Drivers can also be prosecuted for using a hands-free mobile phone if they are not in proper control of their vehicle. Then penalties will be the same as for using a hand-held phone and the penalties for driving carelessly or dangerously when using a phone can include disqualification, a large fine and up to two years imprisonment.

The message is clear – Switch off before you drive off.

The vehicle, which was constructed by the Vipex Company in Nottingham has a very distinctive colourful exterior livery, which depicts local landmarks in Cardiff.

It is air-conditioned, has the latest lift facilities for disabled people, and incorporates two extendable side-pods, which considerably increase the vehicles interior space.

The main pod contains a state-of-the-art driver simulator, developed by the XPI Simulation Company in Surbiton, Surrey, three ‘touch screen’ computers, which are unique to Cardiff Council and a DVD/video player, which is linked to a 42 inch plasma screen, complete with surround sound speakers.

The interior flooring of the vehicle has been designed to simulate a road with pavements allowing practical pedestrian safety demonstrations to be undertaken using model pedestrian crossing facilities such as a zebra, toucan, puffin or pelican crossing.

The exhibition vehicle is extensively used throughout the city at more than 150 primary and secondary schools, at major superstores, festivals and open days to encourage as many people as possible to visit the vehicle.

Further details can be obtained by contacting Cardiff Council’s Road Safety Centre.