Current Campaigns

Drink Drive Campaign

Dumfries and Galloway Road Safety Partnership teamed up with Diageo, the world's premium drinks business and Westsound for the last two years to run anti drink driving campaigns.

In 2010 the campaign was the biggest anti drinking campaign ever to run in the region with Queen of the South football club joining the partnership and promoting the anti drink driving message at their games.

Chair of the Road Safety Partnership said; 'The Road Safety Partnership was delighted to be working again with Diageo, Westsound and Queen of the South in 2010.'

'With such a high number of people failing a breath test in 2009 it is a key time of year for Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary who will be increasing their patrols over the coming weeks and I am hopeful that with such a visual presence on our roads and through our campaign with Westsound and Queen of the South we will see a reduction in the number of people injured and killed on our roads.'

Lorraine Martin, Diageo Scotland's Corporate Social Responsibility Manager commented; 'The campaign forms part of Diageo's ongoing commitment to encourage people to embrace a responsible attitude towards safe driving and being a safe road user.

We are delighted to be offering our support and hope that during the weeks ahead we will see a reduction in the number of incidents on our roads, making them safer for other road users, pedestrians and cyclists and for the wider community.

A third of all drink drivers caught in Dumfries and Galloway are identified from information the police receive from members of the public. Anyone with information can contact Dumfries and Galloway Police on 0845 600 5701 or information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Road Safety Partnership rolls out Young Drivers Initiative

Dumfries and Galloway Road Safety Partnership is rolling out a young drivers initiative across the region targeting 17-25 year olds.

The initiative was started in the Stewartry area in 2007 and the Road Safety Partnership has recognised the benefits of the scheme.

The scheme targets young drivers who are caught driving carelessly and while they are reported to the Procurator Fiscal they are also being recommended to participate in the Young Drivers Initiative. The Procurator Fiscal then examines the evidence available before deciding whether to formally prosecute the driver or refer the driver to take part in the scheme instead.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists enrol those referred through the scheme to take part in an assessed drive with an instructor who points out any faults the driver may have in an effort to raise the driver's standards. Once completed the driver is encouraged to participate further with the IAM to achieve a Skills for Life course which on completion can result in lower insurance premiums for the drivers.

The scheme is open to young motorcyclists as well as drivers and the assessments are funded by Dumfries and Galloway Road Safety Partnership. Young drivers can also self refer themselves to the Institute of Advanced motorists

Inspector Neil Hewitson, of Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary commented; 'Dumfries and Galloway Road Safety Partnership is determined to identify and use innovative methods to target the vulnerable 17-25 years old age group motorists. Tragically, recent history tends to indicate that this group of motorists are difficult to engage with, which has occasionally led to serious crashes. The young drivers initiative is the first scheme which has been approved by the Road Safety Partnership and the initial results indicate that the level of re-offending is low. This is indeed encouraging but we will continue to monitor this to ensure the scheme is effective.'

20 Max

With funding from SUSTRANS, Dumfries and Galloway Council produced a campaign highlighting 20mph zones around schools.

The campaign was on local radio, bus shelters and bus backs and the advertising in print format continues to be seen all year round in the region.