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Town’s drivers ‘worst in county’


MAIDSTONE drivers are the worst in Kent, according to ac- cident statistics. Although there was a 50% re- duction in the number of acci- dents involving fatalities or serious injuries in Maidstone between 2000 and 2010, the county town consistently records the highest number of personal injury accidents across the whole of Kent. Driver error and behaviour


were significant factors in acci- dents, with young drivers being at particular risk. In 2010, there were four fatal accidents, 46 serious accidents and 509 slight accidents in the borough. Canterbury was sec- ond highest with 49 victims killed or seriously injured. Of the drivers involved, more than half – 53% – had Maid-


Films for pupils TEACHERS from all overMaid- stone can take advantage of a free film offer for pupils during National Schools Film Week, from October 15-26. The Odeon at Lockmeadow is


one of 570 cinemas taking part. This year’s programme contains films for all ages. Teachers can book their class tickets online, free of charge, at www. nationalschools- filmweek.org


stone postcodes, with the rest coming from outside the county (12%), Medway (9%), Ton- bridge & Malling (7%), Swale (6%) and Ashford (5%). A report to Maidstone Joint


Transportation Board revealed the peak times for accidents as early morning (8-9am) and weekday evenings, from 3-8pm. The roads with the highest number of accidents were the A229, A249, A274, A26, A20, theM20 and the M2. The county’s head of high-


ways and transportation, Tim Read, revealed that the town’s community safety partnership had been focusing attention on specific sectors, including driv- ers aged 17-21, pedestrians aged 11-16, 16-year-old moped riders and 17-24 year olds riding all types of bike.


BOTH the area’s MPs have risen up the ranks in the latest cabi- net reshuffle. Helen Grant, MP for Maid-


stone and the Weald, has been appointed joint Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice forWomen’s & Equality issues, while Faver- sham and Mid Kent MP and Olympics minister Hugh Robertson has been promoted to Minister of State for Culture,


Writing in the county’s road


safety plan for 2012/13, he says: “Mostpedestrians and cyclists are put at risk by the actions of driv- ers – especially in the driver’s choice of speed or they way they choose to be distracted by things such as mobile phones. “From the age of 16, young-


sters can ride their first motor vehicle on the road. Whilst there is a level of compulsory basic training that has to be completed before road riding is allowed, the relative lack of ex- perience of young riders leads them into a range of hazardous situations.” Maidstone is a high priority


for KCC’s education work in schools, with projects such as “Licence to Kill”, “Car’n’Age” and “Rush”, which are aimed at teenagers, exploring the circum-


Promotion for our MPs in reshuffle


Media and Sport and made a member of the Privy Council. Mr Roberston


said: “Having first got in- volved in Lon- don 2012 as a shadow minis- ter in 2004, it is fantastic


stances and consequences of road accidents. Cllr Gary Cooke, chairman of


the joint transport board, said: “The quality of driving inMaid- stone has deteriorated rapidly, especially at traffic lights, where red seems to signify ‘get across quickly’ and amber means ‘accelerate’. “While the number of acci-


dents has fallen in recent years, it is only amatter of time before it starts to rise again.” Cllr Paulina Stockell argued


the incidence of accidents in Maidstone was higher because it was the county town and, consequently, attracted more traffic. But Cllr Cooke said: “While


the results show an improve- ment, there are no grounds for complacency.”


Quiz night THE Maidstone branch of the RNLI is holding its annual quiz night on Friday, October 12. The event at Fant Hall, Fant


to


have the opportunity to see the project through by helping to shape the legacy period.”


Lane, Barming, starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £6, which includes a cold supper – bring your own drinks and nibbles. Entries are invited from teams of six or eight, or you can just turn up and join a team. To register, call John Ashbolt on 01622 725435.


Open Events 11+


Parents and their daughters are warmly invited to our 11+ Open Events.


11+ Open Evening


Thursday 11 October 2012 6.00pm - 9.00pm Talks by our Head of School, Mrs Julie Derrick, will take place during the evening. Guided tours will be available.


11+ Open Mornings Wednesday 17, Thursday 18 and Friday 19 October 2012


9.00am - 10.30am Guided tours can be pre-booked via www.invicta.kent.sch.uk/38/welcome-events-for-year-6


www.invicta.kent.sch.uk


Tel: 01622 755856 Fax: 01622 678584 E-mail: office@invicta.kent.sch.uk Huntsman Lane, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 5DS


10 Town Support YOUR local paper — and we can support YOU - advertise on 01622 630330 2012


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