Mature student takes top GEM safety award

MATURE student Colin Jones who has become a top expert on delivering safe routes to school has been awarded the prestigious GEM Road Safety Student of the Year Award for his work researching young people on our roads today.

The award is made by the charitable arm of GEM Motoring Assist (formerly the Guild of Experienced Motorists) to recognise those that follow its philosophy of working for the safety of all road users.

Colin took up his studies at Manchester College of Arts and Technology after a 30 year police career with the North Wales force retiring as a collision reduction advisor.

He then served Gwynedd Council, where he is now parking manager, as a safe route to schools officer.

He said: “After joining the council in 2004 I was offered the chance of taking a recognised qualification in road safety at MANCAT.

“I jumped at the chance and chose for my dissertation the subject of young people on our roads today as I was involved at the time with developing school travel plans.”

Colin’s paper reviewed the delivery of the Safe Routes to School Initiative investigating the effectiveness of the scheme within Gwynedd and comparing the way the initiative is managed and delivered within other Welsh authorities.

He has suggested a raft of measures to improve delivery and develop future management in order to encourage children to walk and cycle to school reducing the use of motorised transport outside the school gate.

“Our behaviour on the road means we are all part of the road safety problem and solution,” Colin said. “You are never too old to learn and I was pleased to grasp the opportunity when I joined the council having dealt with many crashes involving young children during my police career.

“I was very surprised and deeply honoured to have been chosen for this award from GEM.”

David Williams, Chief Executive of GEM Motoring Assist who presented the award to Colin, said: “Creating safer and more sustainable school journeys is something we are passionate about at GEM and welcome ideas and comments from the general public.”