Fire fighters spread road safety message

Fire-fighters from Greater Manchester will be out and about today (Friday 22 July) spreading the message about safer driving to coincide with National Road Safety Day.

The two key messages; ‘Only a fool breaks the two second rule’ and ‘keep your distance, watch your speed’ will be the topic of conversation as fire crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) join forces with safety advocates.

Drivers will be asked to spare a few minutes to chat to them about how they can stay safe on our roads.

The main location is the Birch Services on the M62, where a day of action will take place led by GMFRS in partnership with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Road Traffic Unit, GMP Crime Reduction Section and Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council Road Safety Unit.

President of the Chief Fire Officers' Association (CFOA), Peter Holland, said: "22,660 people were reported killed or seriously injured in 2010 on the UK roads.

“Far too often our fire crews are called out to appalling road traffic collisions which are harrowing both for members of the public involved, as well as our fire-fighters. We want to work with the public to do our best to reduce the numbers of these occurrences."

Chairman of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority Councillor Fred Walker said: "In 2010 we had 53 deaths on our roads in Greater Manchester and almost 5,400 injuries - we also attended 748 serious incidents where our assistance was required to extricate occupants from vehicles.

“Fatalities have fallen in recent years as a result of extensive work with partners, but still too many people are dying on our roads. Already this year there has been 42 fatalities resulting from road traffic collisions in the Greater Manchester area. Our message to motorists will be clear and uncompromising - keep your distance and reduce your speed."

Chief Inspector Rachel Buckle of GMP said: “The impact on the victim, their family and the drivers of vehicles involved in serious or fatal road traffic collisions should not be underestimated.

“The risk of collisions taking place can be reduced by making sure your vehicle is well maintained, taking care and paying attention to the road and other motorists at all times, as well as ensuring that you do not drive when tired or having consumed alcohol or drugs.”