Somerset County Council’s Road Safety Team are gearing up for a busy calendar this year delivering vital information and training to people of all ages.
In 2021 the team delivered courses, presentations, and educational programmes to 20,000 people across Somerset, covering all age groups – this despite face-to-face delivery only being deemed safe in May. Both older road users and Reception year children alike have taken positive road safety habits with them into the New Year.
The team assist in delivering the nationally popular bicycle awareness course Bikeability across the county’s primary schools. Last year over 1,800 year 5 and year 6 students have taken the 2-day course as part of their curriculum and subsequently gained confidence and advice on riding their bikes safely – 2022 will see thousands more gain crucial cycling proficiency.
The good work has continued in schools with over 10,000 children receiving the team’s Stay Safe presentations, which clearly describe how they should use crossings, ensure car drivers can see them in the dark and much, much more.
Councillor John Woodman, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways said: “There is no time like the present to improve your road safety knowledge.
“We are fortunate that our team are outstanding at what they do; they make our roads safer day in day out and teach everyone something. I recommend getting in touch and seeing what they can offer you.”
Avon and Somerset Police have also collaborated with the team on a new motorcycle training programme called Raise your Ride. The events ran last summer all over the South West with great success so there are five more planned for this summer. You can find out more about the content and how to sign up on the Somerset Road Safety website, but for now here are the 2022 dates for the diary:
- Bristol – Sunday 24 April
- Taunton, Sunday 22 May
- Yeovil, Sunday 19 June
- Weston-super-Mare, Sunday 27 July
- Bridgwater, Sunday 11 September
When Raise your Ride 2021 is combined with the other motorcycle-based interventions that the team delivered, the net audience of those totalled over 1,400. There is a large community of bikers in Somerset so the expertise of the team should be widely sought after!
The Road Safety Team has also launched a brand-new website, so make sure to check it out the Somerset Road Safetywebsite for all the information you need. You can also follow the team on social media – search Somerset Road Safety on Facebook, @SCC_RoadSafety on Twitter and @somersetroadsafety on Instagram. Alternatively, the team can receive any enquiries from businesses or members of the public via email at [email protected].
