Latest news with #SarahStorey
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Police take photos of distracted drivers from top deck of bus
Thirty two distracted drivers were detected in two hours by police officers deployed on a Bee Network bus as part of a road safety scheme. Operation Top Deck sees specially trained Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers boarding a Bee Network bus and using cameras from an elevated position to detect dangerous driving behaviour on key roads during peak periods. Once offences are captured on camera, GMP's motorcycle unit pulls over drivers to "educate them on their behaviour," and traffic offence reports, and notices of intended prosecution, can be issued. Dangerous driving behaviour includes the so-called "fatal four" offences- drink and drug driving; distractions such as using a mobile phone behind the wheel, speeding and not wearing seat belts. During an "Operation Top Deck" deployment on May 13, a total of 32 offences were captured over a two-hour period, according to a spokesperson. Seventeen people were caught using their mobile phone while driving, there were "seven reports" of people not wearing seat belts, were "seven instances" of a vehicle crossing a solid white line and there was one report relating to a vehicle's number plate. Dame Sarah Storey, active travel commissioner for Greater Manchester, who attended the recent Operation Top Deck deployment, said: "I'd strongly urge that drivers think twice and ask themselves if making a call or answering a text message is really worth the risk. "Doing so shows no consideration for their own safety or the safety of their passengers or other road users - and drivers who use their mobile phones while driving are four times more likely to be involved in a crash. "Seeing Operation Top Deck first-hand has given me a fascinating insight into how Greater Manchester Police enforce the roads while reinforcing their commitment to Vision Zero, our region's ambition to end all deaths and life-changing injuries caused by road traffic collisions by 2040. "I would encourage anyone who witnesses unsafe driving, and can safely and legally capture footage, to submit it to GMP through the Operation Snap online portal. "This will be dealt with by the police, which could lead to further action." Inspector Bradley Ormesher, from GMP's Roads Policing Unit, said: "We are committed to taking direct and positive action to make roads safer across Greater Manchester, and our latest bus-based operation is just one strand of the wider work we are doing. "Distractions can cost lives and cause serious injury, and we will never take offences lightly where someone is distracted and not fully in control of their vehicle. "If you are on your phone, not wearing a seatbelt, or driving without due care and attention, you are ultimately breaking the law, and we will take the most appropriate action required. "Our new operation targets roads at peak times, to allow for maximum impact in our work, and we have already identified dozens of offences when we have been out. "Driving offences can receive any punishment, from a huge fine, to losing your licence, to potentially spending time behind bars. "I would urge drivers to think twice before breaking the law." Operation Top Deck is inspired by National Highways' Operation Tramline, which sees police officers capture footage of dangerous driving from the cabs of heavy goods vehicles. Since the launch of Operation Tramline in 2015, 51,500 offences have been reported by 35 police forces across the UK, according to a spokesperson. Last year, more than 3,200 people in Greater Manchester were caught driving while using their phone or not wearing a seat belt properly over a five-week period, as part of a camera trial by Safer Roads Greater Manchester, according to a spokesperson. To report a dangerous or irresponsible driver, call 101, or 999 in an emergency.
Times
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Times
Is it St George's Day? No, you're five days early, Church of England says
With Melton Mowbray pork pies on the menu and celebrities including the paralympian Dame Sarah Storey and actor Ross Kemp among those invited, Downing Street scheduled a St George's Day reception on Tuesday evening. But the Church of England may have some bad news for Sir Keir Starmer — and anyone else unfurling a St George's flag this week. Officials must have thought the event, designed to celebrate 'the very best of our nation's music, culture and sport', was perfectly timed on the eve of the English patron saint's annual feast day of April 23. But anyone celebrating the Roman soldier's dragon-slaying heroics today will do so five days too early, at least based on the Christian calendar. According to tradition, saints' days are not
Zawya
07-03-2025
- Sport
- Zawya
Youth Charter Celebrates International Women's Day: Empowering Girls and Women Through Sports and Arts
On this International Women's Day, the Youth Charter ( proudly highlights its commitment to empowering girls and women across the globe through sports, physical activity, cultural, and artistic endeavours. We recognise the vital role that engagement in these areas plays in fostering confidence, resilience, and a sense of community among women and girls. We pay tribute to our female ambassadors who continue to support our work. Over the years, the Youth Charter has implemented numerous initiatives designed to inspire and support young women. Our programmes not only promote participation in traditional sports but also encourage involvement in martial arts and combat sports, recognising their unique benefits in building self-defence skills, discipline, and mental fortitude. 'At the forefront of our mission is the belief that every girl and woman is entitled to equal access to sports and physical activity' said Dame Sarah Storey, Vice President of the Youth Charter. 'We also recognise the importance of cultural and artistic expression in empowering women'. Combat sports also offer unique opportunities for empowerment and growth. The Youth Charter promotes martial arts as a means to enhance physical fitness, self-esteem, and personal safety.' This International Women's Day, we encourage everyone to support our mission by promoting participation in sports, arts, and martial arts among women and girls. Together, we can create an inclusive environment where young women can thrive, develop leadership skills, and inspire future generations. Join us in celebrating the achievements of women and girls in sports and arts. Together, we can break barriers and create a world where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Youth Charter. For further information, contact: contact@ Youth Charter @ Social Media: LinkedIn: @ YouthCharter Facebook: @ YouthCharter Instagram: @ youthchartersdp Youtube: @ YouthCharter X: @ YOUTHCHARTER Youth Charter #Hashtags: #YouthCharter #Fight4theStreets #LegacyOpportunity4All #Call2Action #CommunityCampuses #SocialCoaches #YouthwiseProjects About Youth Charter: The Youth Charter is dedicated to empowering young people through sports, arts, and community engagement. We believe in the transformative power of these activities to foster personal growth, social inclusion, and a sense of belonging among young individuals, especially girls and women. The Youth Charter is a UK registered charity and UN accredited non-governmental organisation. Launched in 1993 as part of the Manchester 2000 Olympic Bid and the 2002 Commonwealth Games, the Youth Charter has Campaigned and Promoted the role and value of sport, art, culture and digital technology in the lives of disaffected young people from disadvantaged communities nationally and internationally. The Youth Charter has a proven track record in the creation and delivery of social and human development programmes with the overall aim of providing young people with an opportunity to develop in life. Specifically, The Youth Charter Tackles educational non-attainment, health inequality, anti-social behaviour and the negative effects of crime, drugs, gang related activity and racism by applying the ethics of sporting and artistic excellence. These can then be translated to provide social and economic benefits of citizenship, rights responsibilities, with improved education, health, social order, environment and college, university, employment and enterprise. The Youth Charter ( is a UK registered charity and United Nations Non-Governmental Organization.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Drivers warned about life-changing consequences of using phone behind the wheel
Bolton drivers are being warned about the potentially life-changing consequences of using their mobile phone behind the wheel as part of a new campaign by Safer Roads Greater Manchester. Distractions can make drivers slower to recognise and react to dangers on the road, the group say. Using a mobile phone while driving is a significant cause of road traffic collisions in Greater Manchester, leading to death and life-changing injury of drivers, passengers and others. Superintendent Gareth Parkin (Image: Supplied) Between 2014 and 2024, there were 1,174 incidents where driver distraction was a contributing factor, with 117 serious collisions and 17 resulting in fatalities. Read more: Men arrested in Farnworth with 'drugs and combat knife' Read more: Bolton man, 40s, charged with assault and criminal damage These offences are often under-reported, meaning the full extent of the problem is probably worse in Greater Manchester. Last year a trial of state-of-the-art cameras in the region caught 3,205 people using their phone while driving or not wearing seat belts, with 812 incidents of mobile phone usage recorded over a 51-day period. In some instances, drivers were caught using their phone with passengers in the car. Read more: Woman arrested after girl 'known to her' dies in house fire The trial, carried out by Acusensus and AECOM on behalf of Safer Roads Greater Manchester, was held throughout September and October to gather data to better understand the scale of the issue in Greater Manchester. Dame Sarah Storey (Image: Supplied) Last year Greater Manchester adopted Vision Zero, an ambition to eliminate all traffic fatalities and life changing injuries in the city-region by 2040. In 2023, 45 people lost their lives on our roads and a further 754 people were seriously injured. Peter Boulton, TfGM's highways network director, said: 'Using mobile phones while driving is a key factor in a number of road traffic collisions in Greater Manchester which have resulted in people being killed or suffering life changing injuries on our roads. 'These images unfortunately show that there are many drivers that seem comfortable putting their own lives, and the lives of their passengers and other road users, in harm's way. If you use your phone while driving, you are four times more likely to be in a crash, so it's not worth the risk. 'I hope these images serve as a wake-up call for drivers and passengers on the risks and potential consequences of not driving distracted.' It is illegal to use a handheld mobile phone while driving a motor vehicle on the roads in the UK. Even using a hands-free option can incur penalties if your driving is deemed to be dangerous. Drivers must stay in full control of their vehicles at all times. The police can stop you if they think you're not in control because you're distracted and you can be prosecuted. You can get six penalty points on your licence and a £200 fine if you use a hand-held phone when driving. If you get six points within two years of passing your test you will lose your licence. Superintendent Gareth Parkin, of GMP's Transport Operations Department said: 'Whilst our officers are out on patrol we see on far too many occasions the reckless actions drivers take when being distracted by their mobile phone. 'The road requires your full attention and any lapse in concentration, however quick, can lead to catastrophic consequences, not only for yourself and loved ones, but other members of the public who are going about their day unaware of what may happen to them. 'We are constantly trying to send a clear and strong message that if you do take the chance of being on your phone whilst driving you are breaking the law. This means you will receive the relevant punishment when caught, which can include potentially losing your licence, having to pay a large fine and in some cases of causing serious injury having to spend time behind bars meaning it isn't worth the risk. 'Anyone can report their concerns through the usual methods, but especially through our Operation Snap portal online where we can look to take retrospective action if caught on dashcam or footage from other devices for those who commit offences such as this on a regular basis.' Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner for Greater Manchester, added: 'I am regularly contacted by people who feel helpless to what they describe as the plague of people using a mobile phone behind the wheel of their vehicle. 'Witnesses are from all modes, whether that's a bus or tram passenger, pedestrians or cyclists, in slow moving traffic or at higher speeds - more and more people are observing the sheer number of people using their mobile phones whilst driving - and as the images in this campaign show, it's terrifying."
