Eight local authorities are to share more than three and a half million pounds for road safety projects using innovative techniques, including in-car systems. The councils will then share information about the schemes with other authorities and agencies around the country.

The biggest single Road Safety Partnership Grant will go to Staffordshire County Council, which will get up to 854,000 pounds to improve safety for motorcyclists by raising other motorists’ awareness, tackling hazards such as diesel spills and mud on the road and pre-rider education for young people from the age of 13 as well as some minor changes to roads. The new Cheshire East Council is also focusing on motorcyclists and will get almost 600,000 pounds to lead a project aiming to reduce casualties among bikers on the A537.

Derbyshire County Council will use its grant of up to 200,000 pounds on a system to analyse patterns of motorcycling and to target social marketing towards riders. A Warwickshire County Council pilot programme is to to be expanded to include more than 1,300 powered two wheeler riders across the West Mercia Police area. A 66,000 grant will be used to extend ‘Take Control’ training.

A further 849,000 has been awarded to Lancashire County Council to test in-vehicle systems, which warn drivers when they are approaching sharp bends or speeding. The Unity Partnership, working on behalf of Oldham Borough, will get 480,000 pounds for safety education for adults with the aim of helping them pass on key messages to children.

The London Borough of Hounslow is to get 284,000 pounds for a tailored road safety programme for the Somali community and Bristol City Council, which has been awarded 49,000 pounds, will work with the University of the West of England in evaluating the effectiveness of social marketing aimed at young drivers in deprived areas.