Share the roads

Greater Manchester Police ran a series of initiatives and operations last week to highlight the importance of road safety and sharing the roads.

Latest figures show that the number of deaths and serious injuries on the roads across the borough has fallen. There were a total 46 deaths in the last eleven months, from June 2012 to May 2013 compared to 59 in the same period last year.

Serious injuries have also fallen with 595 in 2012/13 compared to 678 in 2011/12.

Officers from GMP’s roads policing unithave been out tackling illegal and stolen caravans, dangerous driving and uninsured vehicles and educating cyclists about how to share the roads safely.

Inspector Matt Bailey-Smith from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “We want to educate drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists about checking their speed, making sure seat belts are always worn, ensuring drivers are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs and they are not distracted by mobile phones or other electrical equipment.”

Operation Dice was launched in March 2012 to reduce the number of those killed and seriously injured on Greater Manchester’s roads. A hard hitting campaign was also launched to tackle drivers putting their own lives and that of passengers and other road users at risk.

Enforcement against dangerous driving are taking place around the clock and across the county. The campaign asks drivers to slow down, belt up and switch off their mobiles.

Inspector Bailey-Smith added: “Our main objective is to see the number of killed and seriously injured on our roads continue to fall and to ensure the roads are safe for everyone.”

Karen Delaney, spokesperson for DriveSafe said: “It is encouraging to know that the figures are down but saddened to know that deaths are still occurring. Roads are getting busier all the time making it difficult for pedestrians to cross safely and motorists and cyclists to get to their destination smoothly. You have full control of your safety so think and act responsibly.”