Man found guilty of perverting the course of justice
15 Jun 2010

A private hire driver from Birmingham has been found guilty of perverting the course of justice following a string of safety camera activations.

Mr Nazam Hussain, 29, of Bordesley Green, Birmingham activated safety cameras on three separate occasions, each time falsely nominating another driver, who was subsequently convicted in their absence. Enquiries by the Camera Enforcement Unit revealed his deception and he was arrested and charged with perverting the course of justice and appeared before Birmingham Crown Court. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for six months, a twelve month supervision order and 150 hours unpaid work.

Inspector Mick Hartill from West Midlands Casualty Reduction Scheme said: "This case highlights the issue of a professional driver, who has broken the law on a number of occasions, putting his passengers at risk. He has then tried to deceive the courts and avoid detection. His sentence reflects the serious nature of this case and the potential impact that excess speed has on an individual and the wider community."

Speed awareness courses to start in West Midlands
9 Jun 2010

Motorists caught speeding in the West Midlands will soon be able to avoid getting three points on their licence in exchange for attending a short classroom education course.

Speed awareness courses are being introduced later this Summer by West Midlands Police to re-educate motorists and cut the region’s road crash toll.

Experienced instructors from the TTC Group, the UK's leading driver training specialists based in Shropshire, will run the four hour courses in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, West Bromwich, Dudley, Coventry and Walsall.

Most UK police forces have already introduced the courses as an innovative way to reduce road deaths and injuries by educating motorists. Many drivers who volunteer to attend the courses after being caught speeding say they learn how to stick to speed limits and avoid concentration lapses.

Inspector Mick Hartill of West Midlands Police said: "Road safety is an important priority for West Midlands Police and we are committed to enhancing public trust, confidence and reassurance through an appropriate police response and reducing the number of road casualties.

"Excessive speed is a factor in a large number of road traffic collisions. However we do appreciate that some drivers may suffer a lapse of attention rather than deliberately breaking the law—that is why we are introducing these courses for low end speeding to educate instead of penalising motorists."

The TTC Group, which educates thousands of motorists each year, has a driver training HQ in Telford which was opened by the Princess Royal. The organisation has more than 100 top rated driver trainers who run the interactive courses praised by motorists nationwide.

Drink drive rehabilitation courses in the West Midlands, also run by the TTC Group, have been commended for educating motorists and reducing re-offending rates.

On the speed course, motorists learn about hazard awareness, speeding consequences and driving safety tips. They hear about a typical speed survey of motorists driving between 3pm and 4pm past a primary school during term time—where over half were travelling too fast.

TTC Group General Manager Des Morrison said that the vast majority of motorists who attend speed awareness courses change their driving behaviour as a result.

"Drivers tell us that initially they don’t like the idea of attending the course but after experiencing it they write in and tell us how good it is and how everyone should go on the course to learn better driving skills.

"Many people pass their driving test as teenagers and don’t get any extra driving tuition until they attend a speed awareness course and realise how much they have forgotten or are unaware of because of changes in the Highway Code.

"This is a much fairer system for motorists. Instead of being fined, they will learn how to reduce their speed, comply with speed limits, and become safer drivers. Lives will be saved as a result."

There was a "growing realisation" by both local authorities and police that they must take action to combat 40,000 serious road crashes in the UK each year, added Mr Morrison.

The TTC Group is the UK's largest provider of speed awareness courses and runs courses in South Yorkshire, Cumbria, West Mercia, mid and South Wales.

The award winning organisation also educates professional drivers running courses for fleet managers and the corporate sector through TTC Automotive, part of the TTC Group.

For more information about driver education visit www.ttc-uk.com or call 0845 270 4363.

Summer crackdown on drink and drug driving
8 Jun 2010

Campaign artwork (click for PDF)

West Midlands Police and West Midlands Casualty Reduction Scheme are launching a summer crackdown on drink and drug driving to coincide with the 2010 World Cup.

With football fever set to grip the nation from June 11 to July 11, the force will be targeting offending drivers to help ensure the West Midlands public can enjoy the summer and its sporting celebrations in safety.

West Midlands Casualty Reduction Scheme support manager Lisa Newmarsh said: "The World Cup is an exciting time for football fans and many will want to enjoy themselves in the afternoon or evenings whilst watching the games in social settings such as the pub or having barbecues at home or with friends where alcohol is readily available. Our aim is to remind drivers not to run the risk of endangering their lives or the lives of others by getting into their cars whilst under the influence—either on the night or the morning after. Our educational campaign highlights the fact no-one likes 'penalties'—especially the ones that could cost you your driving licence or your freedom and urges people to enjoy the World Cup responsibly."

Working in partnership with the Casualty Reduction Scheme, the Operations Traffic Unit's 285 officers will be leading the force in employing a variety of initiatives to target drink and drug drivers.

Every driver involved in a collision will automatically be breathalysed and the traffic unit's four pro-active teams—each consisting of a sergeant and ten motorcycle constables—will be mobilised across the West Midlands to operate high visibility spot checks at significant times and locations on a 24/7 basis throughout June. The four teams are supported by ten police community support officers (PCSOs) who will be staffing the department's own automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) mobile units.

Late night and morning-after-the-night-before checks and voluntary breath testing will feature prominently, with particular attention paid to times around scheduled England matches.

Force traffic manager for the east of the force Inspector Greg Jennings said: "West Midlands Police are determined to address the annual summer increase in road accidents which result in death or life-changing injury. We will run joint operations with all ten of the force’s local policing units (LPUs), increasing the likelihood of offending drivers being caught and prosecuted.

"Throughout June we will conduct tests on every driver suspected of having consumed drink or drugs, as usual. We will also focus our efforts on offering voluntary breath tests to hundreds of drivers stopped in targeted road checks, an initiative that has been well received in other, trial areas of the country. This will be underpinned by educational campaigns which will see adverts on television, radio and the local bus network throughout June."

The latest figures show 59 people killed and 969 seriously injured in road traffic accidents across the West Midlands in 2008. Every death and life-changing injury represents a huge emotional cost to families and friends and around a fifth of these incidents involve a motorist above the legal drink-drive limit.

Insp Jennings added: "West Midlands Police will be encouraging people to enjoy the summer months and the World Cup celebrations responsibly. We want the small hardcore of drivers who continue to drive under the influence of drink or drugs to be aware that we will be especially vigilant."

Road Safety Partnership and National Express launch 'hold on' campaign
4 Jun 2010

Campaign artwork (click for PDF)

West Midlands Road Safety Partnership and National Express West Midlands have linked up to keep passengers safe when travelling on the bus network.

A series of posters have launched across National Express' buses advising passengers to hold on to handrails and sit tight until the bus has slowed down.

The designs aim to reduce falls on buses and encourage passengers to take additional care when boarding and alighting. The bus company is planning a series of events to promote safer travelling throughout the summer.

• Hold on to handrails while moving along the vehicle
• Sit tight until the bus has slowed down
• Keep aisles clear of bags and luggage
• Use the priority seats at the front of the vehicle
• Ask the driver if you need additional time to reach your seat

Lisa Newmarsh, spokesperson for the Road Safety Partnership said:

"West Midlands Road Safety Partnership have welcomed this opportunity to work in partnership with National Express to reduce the number of casualties caused by falls that occur on buses whilst in use and ensure important safety messages are communicated to bus passengers effectively and successfully."