A ROAD safety innovation company based in Penarth, Road Safety Designs, has been shortlisted for no less that three awards in the past two weeks – after its manager was inspired by an almost fatalaccident.

Most recognised for its road safety product the BriteAngle LED Warning Triangle, the company is in the running to become the Welsh Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year in the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards, Product of the Year in the Intelligent Instructor Awards and Best Fleet Safety Product in the Brake Fleet Safety Awards.

Managing director and designer of the BriteAngle Steve Wornham said: “The BriteAngle LED Warning Triangle was born out of a near-fatal accident when I narrowly avoided hitting a young man who was in the road, changing his tyre, at night.

“Luckily, I saw the torch in his mouth before it was too late, but I was shocked that I had come so close to being responsible for such a terrible accident.

“Since then, I have made it my mission to create products that prevent this or worse from happening to other people.

“My aim is that one day, it will be a legal obligation to carry a warning triangle on every vehicle in the UK to keep all road users safer.

“Not only is it incredible humbling to have been shortlisted in these awards, it’s also great to be able to use these platforms to raise awareness of the need for this essential road safety measure in the UK.”

Over the past year, Road Safety Designs has launched a new product – MotoBrite – designed to keep motorcyclists more visible on the roadside, as well as establishing distribution networks in countries such as Dubai, Mexico and Australia.

It will now use these relationships to take its range of products to the international market.