Sally Boazman is a British radio traffic news reporter on the national radio station BBC Radio 2.[1] Her reporting introduced live reports from motorists on mobile phones and lorry drivers on CB radio.[2]
Boazman has presented Radio 2's weekend travel bulletins since 2014, alongside Orna Merchant.
Career
Following a brief foray into acting, Boazman took a post in the current affairs department of LWT where she worked as a secretary for the future Director-General of the BBCGreg Dyke.[3] After later working as a traffic news announcer for the Automobile Association she went on to present traffic reports for a number of local radio stations before moving to Classic FM.[3] Her first presenting role was for the British Forces Broadcasting Service after which she worked for the BBC World Service and commercial radio.[3] She spent some time away from broadcasting following the birth of her son, Harry, but returned later to become Chief Travel Reporter for BBC Radio London.[3]
She joined BBC Radio 2 as the network's first official travel news presenter in 1998,[1] presenting travel updates during the weekday afternoons. She has worked alongside Johnnie Walker, later Chris Evans and Simon Mayo on their respective Drivetime shows, Steve Wright during the afternoon, and Jeremy Vine at lunchtime. Boazman now provides traffic news reports on Saturdays on BBC Radio 2[4] with Orna Merchant normally doing the same on Sundays.[5] Sally's weekday afternoon slots are now normally presented by Bobby Prior who also occasionally covers for Richie Anderson on morning travel along with regular cover travel presenters Jules Lang and Ellie Brennan.[citation needed]
In 2007, Boazman was described by Autotrader UK as the "sexiest voice on the radio" and a national treasure[6] who changed the way traffic reporting was done.[7] Her fans have named a thoroughbred race horse after her,[8][9] as well as lorry trucks.[10]
On 7 December 2023, Boazman was announced as the 2023 recipient of the Special Contribution to Motoring Award from the Guild of Motor Writers.[11]
Books, records, and activities
In 2003 she narrated the poem Crawl of The Light Brigade for the CD recording Guide Cats for the Blind.[12] In 2007 she wrote the book The Sally Traffic Handbook and narrated a CD for the Highways Agency called Hear When the Going's Good, providing advice to lorry drivers.[13]
TomTom navigation has a Sally Traffic voice available for its GPS units. Proceeds from purchase of the voice driving set go to the charity BBC Children in Need.[14]
From 10 to 19 November 2007, she cycled across 400 kilometres (250 mi) of Kenya's Rift Valley to support charity Transaid.[15] In 2009 she presented the Gold level Sony Radio Academy Award for drivetime entertainment to her fellow broadcaster Chris Evans,[16] while in 2007 the Gold level Entertainment award honoured the Chris Evans Drivetime show and staff, of which Boazman was part.[17] She also won the Truck & Driver Driver's Choice award for Best Traffic Information in 2009.[18]
On 29 October 2011, she presented The Road to Nowhere for BBC One in London and South East England, a documentary celebrating the 25th anniversary of the M25. The programme sees Boazman journeying around the motorway and examining its economic and environmental impact, as well as other ways it has changed Britain's society.[19]
Personal life
She lives in Ipswich with her son Harry (born 1987), who is a musician.[20] She was a regular participant at Truckfest, appearing in every event between 2002 and 2006.[21]
^O'Ryan, Tom (12 April 2002), "Norton Has No Traffic Problems", Racing Post, London
^"Thursday's Late Details", Times, London, p. Sport, Racing, 21 June 2003, 7.45 (5f) 1, Loughlorien (F Lynch, 13-2); 2, Sir Sandrovitch (20–1); 3, Catch The Cat (66–1); 4, Rum Destiny (66–1). Sholto 9-2 fav. 17 ran. NR: Cargo, Mr Spliffy, Sally Traffic. 1, nk. K Ryan. Tote: £7.20; £2.20, £3.60, £8.20, £11.30. Exacta: £132.00. CSF: £140.60. Tricast: £7,952.20.[dead link]
^"Book Review: Sally Traffic Handbook"(Web) (Press release). Car Pages. 2007. With the honour of having an Eddie Stobart lorry named after her, Sally has certainly captured the hearts of the nation's drivers.
^Paul Donovan, Radio Correspondent, Sunday Times (2003). Sleevenotes, Guide Cats for the Blind (Compact Disc, Sleevenotes). United Kingdom: British Computer Association of the Blind.
^"New Audio CD Launched to Help Lorry Drivers" (Press release). UK Government. 31 May 2007 – via M2 Presswire. The Highways Agency has developed a new audio CD which provides useful, practical advice and information to help lorry drivers with their journeys. The CD, called 'Hear when the going's good', is narrated by BBC Radio 2's Sally 'Traffic'
^"Radio 2 Legend Records Voice for TomTom Sat Navs to Raise Funds for BBC Children's Charity" (Press release). TomTom. 13 October 2008 – via M2 Presswire.
^Evans, Chris. "Sally Traffic in Kenya". BBC Radio 2. Retrieved 11 September 2009. From 10 to 19 November Sally joined 24 other participants to cycle a gruelling 400km across Kenya's Rift Valley in aid of Transaid.
