A road safety app that could potentially save lives has been developed by University of the West of Scotland (UWS).
Developed as part of a collaboration with Dumfries and Galloway Road Safety Partnership, the app provides local road users with information to better plan their journeys and travel more safely. The app also includes What3Words – a location feature often used by the emergency services – which could potentially save lives in an emergency situation, by providing first responders with a way to easily pinpoint the location of a user.
Dr David Ndzi, Head of Division of Computing at UWS
“There are many remote places within the region, so having an added feature that can pinpoint a user’s location within a three-metre radius is extremely helpful for the emergency services.”
“UWS has a campus in Dumfries, so we have a vested interest in ensuring the area is a safe place for our students. There are many remote places within the region, so having an added feature that can pinpoint a user’s location within a three-metre radius is extremely helpful for the emergency services.
“The app will act as an important hub for information about all forms of travel in the area, providing live updates about ongoing incidents on the main trunk roads.”
The ‘Travel Safe D&G’ app has been designed for use by people of all ages and allows users to report emergency incidents and road faults, as well as bringing together useful information on all forms of travel, weather and news for the local Dumfries and Galloway area. The app not only enhances local engagement and information to the end user, but links with national platforms to provide a more streamlined experience.
Station Commander Ian Anderson, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Dumfries, added: “Dumfries and Galloway Road Safety Partnership involves many organisations with a vested interest in road safety throughout the area. The main aim of the partnership is to reduce deaths and serious injuries on roads within the region.
“Through funding from Scottish Government, we now have a user-friendly road safety app that will hopefully assist in keeping our roads and communities safe.”
The Dumfries and Galloway Road Safety Partnership involves UWS, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland, Autolink, and Dumfries and Galloway Council.
The free app can be downloaded on any iOS or Android mobile phone, by searching for ‘Travel Safe D&G’.