As we head into the summer months Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) is urging road users to drive safely, check their vehicles and think about their surroundings.
Momentary lapses in concentration and poor decision-making behind the wheel is proving fatal for more than one person a week in Cheshire.
With the weather set to brighten and temperatures begin to soar, more people will hit the roads and travel longer distances to make the most of the summer days and nights with family and friends.
With this in mind, CFRS is urging road users to drive carefully, slow down, leave mobile phones out of sight, buckle up and not to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs to avoid fun-filled family adventures turning into a tragedy.
The Service is also encouraging road users to make sure their vehicles are summer ready prior to setting off on long journeys.
Firefighters will be out and about throughout July holding road safety events across the county to share life-saving advice in a bid to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads.
Road Safety Manager Andy Gray said: “The summer months typically see more people using the roads as they make the most of holiday time, days out and lighter evenings. We want people to have a great time this summer and make some great memories – not to have their worlds come crashing down to the heart-stopping news that their loved one is not coming home as a result of a road traffic collision.
“Investigations into collisions show that the biggest killer on the roads is motorists driving carelessly. This is closely followed by driving too fast, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, not wearing a seatbelt, and driving while using a mobile phone. Together these are known as the Fatal 5.
“In 2018 we lost 46 people on Cheshire’s roads as a result of a road traffic collision, and the majority of those could have been prevented. Firefighters do a great job at rescuing people from collisions. However, sometimes, it is just too late and, unfortunately, they have seen far too many preventable fatalities and life-changing injuries on the roads. One reckless decision can cost you – or an innocent member of the public – a life.”
Careless driving kills. It’s not worth dying for…
For more information on the Fatal 5 and how to keep safe on the roads visit: https://www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/home/fatal-5_12-06-2019_15-24-11
For more information on what checks to complete to make sure your vehicle is summer ready visit: https://www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/public-safety/road-safety/vehicle-checks
To see where and when your local firefighters will be for their road safety events, follow the local fire station accounts on Twitter.
