New safety projects to tackle road deaths in Mid Wales

In the first six months of last year more than 600 people were killed or injured on the roads of Dyfed-Powys.

As a result three campaigns are being set up to inspire better road behaviour and attitudes among younger road users, while the fourth will encourage improved driving by older motorists.

In total the schemes will cost just under £154,000, which will be funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon.

Mr Salmon has also announced that he will be reinvesting about £180,000 of road to safety funding in roads policing.

He said: "I had some great ideas on keeping road users safe and I've chosen the best. My road to safety scheme will improve the lives of our communities by reducing the number of road casualties.

"I and Dyfed-Powys Police continue to work hard to preserve life but the public also have a great role to play in keeping all of us safe.

"I ask drivers, bikers and cyclists to consider the importance of road safety. The people best able to affect the safety of road users – weather and road surface included – are road users themselves.

"Too many people die or are badly hurt on our roads; working with trusted partners I want to make Dyfed-Powys a safer place. One death is one too many – I urge caution and care by all."

The first scheme, from Performance in Education, is a programme of bilingual multi-media performances and workshops for all secondary schools across Dyfed-Powys to increase road safety awareness, particularly about drink and drugs, speed, carelessness, poor use of seat belts and using mobile phones at the wheel.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service will work with the police and ambulance services to host events on speed and anti-social driving, working directly with young people likely to get involved in such incidents.

The final two, both run by Dyfed-Powys Police, will research new schemes to keep young drivers and older drivers safe.

Superintendent Huw Meredith, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: "The road to safety funding has provided an excellent opportunity for Dyfed-Powys Police to conduct research to gain a better understanding of why young and older people make certain decisions when they driving or riding vehicles on the road.

"The results will then enable us and partner agencies to develop new initiatives with the aim of reducing road collisions and casualties."