Story by Kate Atkinson
After residents raised concerns in the August issue about road safety on Ellesmere Road, I spoke to driving instructor Abdul Majeed Najib on the topic.
“The government are doing quite well promoting road safety,” Abdul told me, “but they do a lot in national papers and don’t do that much in local areas. It’s driving instructors like me that need to make people aware.”
Abdul also pointed out that a lot of road safety information tends to be in English, which is often not the main language of the many nationalities living in Burngreave.
“I speak lots of different languages so I often translate for my students. Driving theory does come in different languages, but often my students still need me to guide them through it.”
Abdul called for more leaflets and road safety information to be aimed at a wider spectrum of people, recognising the multicultural nature of our community. Although, as Abdul points out: “A good thing about the area is that is has speedbumps.”
Ellesmere Road residents reminded us in our last issue that not all areas do and besides, they are not always enough.
“There are lots of schools in Burngreave, and lots of traffic. Drivers need to be more aware of what’s going on around them, especially where children are playing.” Abdul added.
“The key to being a good driver is good observation and planning. They have to anticipate the actions of pedestrians and other drivers, instead of waiting until the last minute.”
It’s not only drivers who need more road safety advice though. Children also need to be more aware. As Abdul told me: “A lot of kids don’t use the road crossings properly.” So perhaps it’s time for an update to the old ‘Stop, Look and Listen’ motto to make kids pay attention again.
Abdul works under the company name of AMN School of Motoring and can be contacted on 0779 902 3873.