“Motorcycle Training Matters” and “Belt-Up for LIFE” projects have been awarded £160,000 match-funding from Department for Transport to help reduce road casualties in Bedfordshire and Luton.  Funds for road safety work in Bedfordshire and Luton have just received a welcome £160,000 boost from the Department for Transport’s Road Safety Partnership Grant scheme.  This money will be used to support two pioneering projects – “Motorcycle Training Matters” and “Belt-Up for LIFE” - which will be delivered by partners and associates of the Bedfordshire and Luton Casualty Reduction Partnership.  Motorcycle Training Matters – enhanced rider training projectLed by Simon Deards, Road Safety Engineer for Bedfordshire County Council, “Motorcycle Training Matters” is a two-year project that will develop a model of good practice for promotion and delivery of enhanced motorcycle training. There will be a strong focus on the psychological and attitudinal aspects of safe riding; starting with pre-CBT education to instil a responsible attitude towards safety, through to ongoing advanced rider training. This project is being supported by members of the local motorcyclists’ forum “Motorcycling Matters” including Smart Motorcycle Training, Herts and Beds Advanced Motorcyclists (part of IAM), Bedford Bike and Car Centre, Driving Standards Agency and Bedfordshire Police.  Simon Deards, who also chairs the Motorcycling Matters forum, said “Motorcyclists represent less than 2% of traffic, but nearly a quarter of all fatal and serious road casualties in our area. Two-thirds are the result of rider error – particularly amongst younger, less experienced riders and those who are returning to riding after a break. One third are the result of another road users’ error. The project aims to reduce the casualty toll amongst motorcyclists based on the understanding that riders are best placed to take responsibility for their own safety.”  Belt-Up for LIFE – in-car safety projectThe in-car safety project called “Belt Up for LIFE” will be led by Christine Davy, Road Safety Manager at Luton Borough Council. It aims to lead to greater use of seat belts and the correct child restraints in order to prevent death and reduce the severity of injuries in the event of a collision.  This multi-agency project is being delivered by Luton Borough Council, Bedfordshire County Council, Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service, Bedfordshire Police, Bedfordshire Primary Care Trust, Luton and Bedfordshire Youth Associate, as well as local schools and mosques.  Christine Davy said “The use of seatbelts and appropriate child restraints can make the difference between life and death, however, road-side surveys show that as many as one in five adults do not wear a seatbelt and nearly half of children are not properly restrained. We aim to change attitudes and improve the use of appropriate restraints through education, publicity, training and enforcement to help reduce the number and severity of road traffic casualties.”  Both projects will not only contribute to road safety in our area, but ongoing monitoring and evaluation of these projects will also inform future road safety practice around the country.  On announcing the grants, Jim Fitzpatrick, Road Safety Minister, said "I am delighted to announce this funding for Bedfordshire and Luton and look forward to hearing more about the progress of the motorcycling training and seat belt schemes. Britain’s roads are already some of the safest in the world but by working together on schemes like this we can further reduce the numbers of people killed and seriously injured on our roads." 

Cllr Tom Wootton, Bedfordshire County Council said "This is great news for road safety in our area. These collaborative projects which draw on the expertise of this wide range of road safety stakeholders are fine examples of how effective partnership working can make our roads safer for everybody."  Councillor Don Worlding, Luton Borough Council also commented: "The safety of our roads relies on the efforts of many. I am delighted that these projects are going ahead with the support of so many road safety stakeholders from our local communities, and that additional funding is forthcoming to support these important areas of our work."