Added: 04/06/2008

Category: Suffolk RoadSafe Board

The safety of more than 17000 Americans will be top of the agenda when Suffolk Roadsafe Board meet on Wednesday, 4 June 2008.

The Suffolk RoadSafe Board alongside representatives from RAF Mildenhall and Lakenheath will be considering how they can improve and increase awareness of American personnel's road safety.

Suffolk County Councillor Guy McGregor, portfolio holder for roads and transport and chairman of the Suffolk RoadSafe Board said: "We have received a detailed report from the USAF which demonstrates a serious commitment to reducing accidents involving American personnel and their families on Suffolk's road. The Board values the efforts that the USAF has put into driver training and education programmes which have helped to reduce road fatalities over the last four years."

The report details the range of courses available for American drivers and motorcyclists. It includes details of how the initiative, Airmen Against Drunk Driving, has led to a significant reduction in offences committed. In addition, it contains details of how education, emphasis on designated drivers and the initiative Airmen Against Drunk Driving, helped lead to a 63% reduction in offences committed over the past four years. RAF Lakenheath and Mildenhall run a weekend and holiday volunteer programme that will pick up any base member who has had too much to drink and return them to their home no questions asked.

Lt Col Gary Slack, Chief of Wing Safety at RAF Mildenhall said: "In 2003 the US Visiting Forces suffered nine road fatalities and that this led to a close look at our safety programmes. With around 35% of the driving age group under 26, the introduction of a course aimed specifically at these drivers has made a real difference, in 2007 we suffered only one road fatality."

He added further: "Because one death is still too many, we appreciate the opportunity to meet with the Board to explore further opportunities to reduce road fatalities."

Superintendent John Everett, member of the Board said: "Suffolk Police and its partners will seek opportunities to build on good relations with the USAF and to develop areas of common interest such as road safety campaigns and data collection and analysis."