Eighteen months ago, Sandwell Borough Command, under the guidance of Group Commander Tim Gardiner, was instrumental in setting up the Sandwell Road Casualty Reduction Partnership, with the aim of reducing the number of Road collisions and casualties.
This has brought together several different agencies that previously worked independently towards similar goals. Several meetings have been held, and as a result new initiatives have been set up and already the benefits of partnership working are starting to show.
One of the most visible of these has been the introduction of the graphic and very hard-hitting ‘Your Choice’ on the road presentation. It has been delivered in dozens of venues across Sandwell, including every year 11 school child (aged 15 – 16 year olds), Young offenders and several colleges.
Sandwell Road Safety Unit has supported the community safety staff and increasingly strong links with the police and Sandwell traffic management are actively addressing road safety issues in a number of different areas.
On Monday 28th January, an ‘Away Day’ for members of the partnership was held at the Brigade Training Centre. Individuals made several presentations from the different agencies, so that an increased awareness of the roles of the different departments could be understood.
In the afternoon, Martin McManus, a Road Traffic Collision (RTC) instructor based at the BTC, guided them through a simulated RTC and everyone took the opportunity to get their hands on Fire Service extrication equipment. Everyone really enjoyed themselves and some excellent feedback has been received. It is planned to organise further similar days, so that this very successful partnership will develop and continue to provide increased benefits for everyone who uses the road network within Sandwell.
