2fast2soon

News

04.08.2009

FREE Driving Skills Day

Northamptonshire Casualty Reduction Partnership runs FREE driving skills and information days for 17-24 year olds who live in Northants and hold a full UK driving licence. The day includes skid pan experience, ABS/ ESP control tuition, safer driving workshop which includes how to know when you're safe to drive when drinking and a 60 minute assesment drive with a Grade 1 Police driver at the wheel of a brand new Renault Sport. The aim of the day is to give your driving skills a good workout and to provide lots of information as to how you can remain a safe driver. The days are run at Silverstone by Northamptonshire County Council and Northamptonshire Police and sponsored by Renault UK and Adrian Flux. For more information on how to be involved go to www.reducingroadcasualties.com

04.08.2009

New competition coming soon

04.02.2008

Mobiles and driving don't mix

A motorist who was texting on her mobile phone when she hit and killed a cyclist has been convicted of causing death by dangerous driving. Kiera Coultas could now face up to 14 years in prison after killing 19 year old Jordan Wickington at a busy Southampton junction in February 2007. She is due to be sentanced later this month.

It is now routine for police to seize drivers' mobile phones at the scene of serious accidents and examine them to determine if the phone was being used at the time of the incident.

Watch the BBC News clip here.

11.01.2008

Over 600 drivers tested in Northants

More than 600 people were tested during Northamptonshire Police’s annual Christmas Drink/Drug/Drive campaign.

In the month-long campaign a total of 647 people were tested by officers, with 112 found to be positive for alcohol.

The remaining 535 gave negative results for alcohol.

One driver was given a field impairment test for drugs, the result of which is still unknown at this time.

Of those 112 people who gave positive results, 34 were aged between 17 and 24, compared with 40 from 2006.

Also of note, seven of those people arrested during the 2007 campaign were arrested between the hours of 7am and noon, the peak time for the ‘morning after’ style of driver. The same number of people were arrested during the same hours in the 2006 campaign.

In the 2006 campaign a total of 770 people were tested for alcohol, with 129 found to be positive.

Throughout the campaign all drivers involved in road traffic collisions, spotted committing road traffic offences and those suspected of having taken alcohol or drugs, especially the 'morning after' type of road user, were subjected to breath tests.

The operation ran from December 1 until 12.01am on 2 January. Those people who gave positive results have been charged and will be called to appear before magistrates to answer charges.

Every driver who was stopped and tested by officers was issued with an educational leaflet to alleviate some of the mythology surrounding alcohol/drugs and driving.

PC Steve Harris, Casualty Reduction Officer for Northamptonshire Police, said: “I am disappointed that, despite the Forces best efforts at education and awareness, people are still prepared to take the risk of driving whilst over the limit.

“I am especially concerned at those within the 17-24 year old age range who, despite being only 10 per cent of all licence holders, still make up around 30 per cent of all drink/drive arrests.

“The message needs to be clear at all times of the year. The only safe drink/drive limit is none.”

20.12.2007

Mobile Phone Driving Jail Threat

The Crown Prosecution Service has issued guidence that suggests drivers caught driving dangerously whilst using a hendheld mobile phone should be prosecuted for dangerous driving for which a jail term can be served. To read the full story go to the BBC News page .

30.11.2007

The only safe drink drive limit this Christmas is none

Christmas may be just around the corner but Police are reminding people to make sure they don't use the excuse of celebrating the festive season to drive while drunk or on drugs.

Every year around 3,000 people are killed or seriously injured on the country's roads as a result of drink driving and officers are urging people to make sure they and their family or friends don't end up being one of these statistics for next year.

This message is particularly pertinent to 17 to 24 year olds. Although they only represent 6 per cent of all licence holders, they accounted for 57 per cent of the drink drive arrests in the county during last year's Christmas campaign.

Officers are also urging people to make sure they are not over the alcohol limit or under the influence of drugs the morning after consuming them when they get into their car.

This year's campaign, entitled Operation Roadsafe, will see the Casualty Reduction Partnership, including Northamptonshire Police, take part and will begin on Saturday 1 December and end on 2 January 2008.

The campaign has numerous aims. To reduce the number of road deaths and casualties as a result of drink and drug driving on the county's roads as well as educating people about the risks of driving after drinking alcohol or taking drugs.

Members of the public are being encouraged to contact police if they believe someone is driving after consuming drink or drugs via the Force's Drivewatch Hotline. The 24 hour line is a freephone line where non urgent information can be left. The Drivewatch Holine is available at 0800 174615.

Those drivers stopped by officers as part of the campaign will be issued with an educational leaflet to alleviate some of the mythology surrounding alcohol/drugs and driving.

All people involved in road traffic collisions, spotted committing road traffic offences and those suspected of having taken alcohol or drugs, especially the 'morning after' type of road user, will be subjected to breath tests. Officers from the Road Policing Unit will also conduct field impairment tests on those people suspected of being over the limit.

PC Steve Harris, Casualty Reduction Liaison Officer for Northamptonshire Police, said: "We want to heighten the awareness of drink driving and the fact that even a small amount of alcohol can impair your driving. People do not realise the effects alcohol can have on them.

"The message is clear. Do not drink any alcohol or take any drugs before getting behind the wheel of your car.

"It doesn’t matter how much you have eaten, how much sleep you have had or how much coffee you have drunk, alcohol will not disperse in you body any quicker than if you have not."

27.11.2007

Hot off the press!

2fast2soon recieved a lot of attention from the media. Why not check out the reviews page to see what they had to say.

30.10.2007

2fast2soon launches in Northamptonshire

Today sees the launch of a widely anticipated road safety initiative which is aimed at reducing the number of young drivers who are killed and seriously injured on Northamptonshire's roads. Last year 51 young people were killed or seriously injured on the county's roads. 2fast2soon is a ground breaking production which features a professionally produced film with input from Northamptonshire’s emergency services. The first events are being shown at Royal and Derngate Theatre in Northampton and Castle Theatre in Wellingborough during November 2007.

2fast2soon is funded by Northamptonshire Casualty Reduction Partnership which includes Northamptonshire County Council, Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service and East Midlands Ambulance Service.