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Experts offer safety advice on coast road
REGULAR users of the Chickerell to Bridport coast road are being encouraged to take advantage of free safety advice for drivers.
In an effort to cut the number of crashes on the B3157, Dorset County Council is offering practical courses to help drivers refresh their skills and holding two public presentations.
Experienced instructors will be taking drivers along the route for 90-minute sessions to help them improve defensive driving techniques, raise hazard awareness and increase their knowledge of the road.
The scenic route along the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site has seen 73 crashes over the past five years, resulting in 136 casualties.
Most of these were caused by loss of control, driving too closely to the vehicle in front and overtaking - all aspects the course will help to address.
Earlier this summer the council also introduced new 40mph speed limits to ensure safety in the face of deteriorating road surfaces and announced plans were being drawn up for a new road safety project for 2009-10.
The council's senior road safety officer Sue Virgin said: "There is no test or assessment involved - just a rare opportunity to refresh your driving skills in a non-threatening environment, in your own vehicle if you wish.
"Everyone who has taken part so far has said how much they valued the driving session and cited positioning, judging speed and distance, use of gears and mirrors and hazard spotting as some of the most useful elements of the drive.
"This free offer is a tremendous opportunity for both commuters and local residents."
The council's spokesman for highways and transport Colonel Geoffrey Brierley added: "I would urge as many people as possible to take this chance to brush up their driving skills.
"Even though I have driven for many years, I know that driving habits can go off the boil and need refreshment from time to time."
Two non-driving presentations open to the public will also highlight problems along the route.
There will be a session at Portesham Village Hall at 9.30am on Wednesday, September 3, followed by one at Burton Bradstock Village Hall at 2pm on Monday, September 8.
The practical sessions, which would normally cost £35, will be offered free of charge on a first-come, first-come basis. Anyone interested should contact Dorset County Council's road safety team on 01305 224558 or email roadsafety@dorsetcc.gov.uk
11:53am Thursday 28th August 2008
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CommentPosted by: Fishman68, Weymouth on 1:03pm Thu 28 Aug 08
This is a great proposal; it should be made compulsory for all motorcyclists to attend as the majority of them completely disregard the Highway code anyway.
Well done to Dorset County Council's road safety department for organising this.
This is a great proposal; it should be made compulsory for all motorcyclists to attend as the majority of them completely disregard the Highway code anyway.
Well done to Dorset County Council's road safety department for organising this.
Posted by: Jimbo, Weymouth on 1:08pm Thu 28 Aug 08
Is the deteriorating state of this road not a contribution to the number of crashes also? Come on Dorset Council fix this road up properly like you should have years ago!!!
Is the deteriorating state of this road not a contribution to the number of crashes also? Come on Dorset Council fix this road up properly like you should have years ago!!!
Posted by: genghis, portland on 4:45pm Thu 28 Aug 08
[quote][bold]Fishman68[/bold] wrote:
This is a great proposal; it should be made compulsory for all motorcyclists to attend as the majority of them completely disregard the Highway code anyway. Well done to Dorset County Council's road safety department for organising this. [/quote] You'll be asking them to put speed cameras up next to catch the people who don't go on the course.
Fishman68 wrote:
This is a great proposal; it should be made compulsory for all motorcyclists to attend as the majority of them completely disregard the Highway code anyway. Well done to Dorset County Council's road safety department for organising this.
You'll be asking them to put speed cameras up next to catch the people who don't go on the course.
Posted by: Dorsetdumpling, Weymouth on 7:38pm Fri 29 Aug 08
Hmm - do we think the council realy have our welfare at heart?
...or is this just an exercise in limiting the damage when they eventually get sued?
Hmm - do we think the council realy have our welfare at heart?
...or is this just an exercise in limiting the damage when they eventually get sued?
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