Road safety
Details of how we aim to make Middlesbrough's roads safer
The primary aim of our Road Safety Team is to contribute to reducing road traffic casualties in Middlesbrough. The team will continue to work with all sections of the community, and in partnership with many other agencies such as Cleveland Police and Cleveland Fire Brigade. We believe in education and encouragement as well as engineering and enforcement.
Our role is to provide resources and expertise in education, training and publicity. We may never be able to see the results directly, but we know that together with the efforts of others, the approach is working.
Education - We plan and deliver lessons to pupils in both primary and secondary schools across the town covering a wide range of road safety related topics and also provide educational resources, information and advice to the general public on all aspects of road safety.
Training - We provide a variety of training courses ranging from child pedestrian training and cycle training to motorcycle training.
Publicity - We plan and deliver most of our publicity and promotional work according to the Department for Transport publicity campaign calendar. We also attend local galas, fun days, community events etc, and have a road safety mascot called Safety Squirrel, who regularly makes appearances at events and in primary school assemblies. We have an extensive range of leaflets and publicity material available on request.
Middlesbrough Council's Road Safety Team provide a wide range of services and advice to reduce casualties on our roads, including;
- Cycle Training - Through our partnership with Middlesbrough Environment City we have a team of accredited instructors to deliver Bikeability (National Standard) cycle training to Year 5 and 6 school pupils. Practical demonstrations are also available to schools to encourage cycle helmet wearing.
- Child Pedestrian Training - 'Steps n Skills' is our child pedestrian training scheme delivered to Year 3 primary school children. It offers practical road-side training, that demonstrates how to choose a safe place to cross, cross near parked cars and at junctions.
- Motor Cycle Training - Cleveland Road Safety Partnership fund the Ridewell Tees Valley scheme that delivers CBT, Direct Access, and Post-test courses at sites across the region. The Council also campaign for motorcyclists to wear safety clothing when riding, and also promote the Sharp Helmet rating scheme.
- In-car safety - Advice and free safety checks on the buying, fitting and use of child car seats.
- Occupational Road Risk - Advice and guidance to businesses and organisations on reducing the risks associated with workplace driving.
- Pedestrian Safety - Constantly review and look for new ways of promoting safer ways for pedestrians (both young and old) to use the roads around them. The team can offer information on types of pedestrian crossings, and can offer presentations aimed at older pedestrians.
- Driving Safety - Offer a wide range of leaflets / presentations on topics such as speed, seatbelts, drink, drug driving, mobile phone use in cars, and driving whilst tired. The team also offer advice and information on tyre safety and winter driving.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer pedestrian trainer or any of the above initiatives; please contact roadsafety@middlesbrough.gov.uk.