Shock tactic to save lives on our roads

Jul 6 2008 by Sunday Sun

GRIM pictures of car smashes are at the centre of a new campaign to stop young drivers speeding.

Some show wreckage from fatal accidents and it’s hoped the shock tactic will save lives in the future.

They are contained on a DVD produced by Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service after a study found around 50 per cent of fatal crashes involved a driver under the age of 25.

Research also revealed people in that age group are seven times as likely to have a road traffic accident.

The DVD also contains interviews with bereaved families and is now being shown in schools and to young drivers caught committing motoring offences like speeding in Cumbria which has one of the worst records in the country.

Grieving mum Lynette Francis, of Kings Meaburn, Cumbria, works closely with the fire and rescue service and police to educate youngsters on road safety. She lost her 19-year-old son Mark after he was killed in a car crash in Appleby six years ago.

Mum-of-five Lynette, 50, who does voluntary work for road safety charity Brake, said: "The videos seem to have an impact on youngsters and educates them. As I have a personal story to go with it, it does have more impact.

"If I can help the fire service get the message across and make a difference to just one person’s life then that is great. Parents and youngsters need to be educated about the consequences of dangerous driving to reduce the number of deaths."

Justin Johnson, of Cumbria Fire and Rescue, explained: "We need to find a way to make a difference and part of that is by being hard-hitting with videos and personal stories as the numbers are not reducing.

"I remember one 15-year- old girl who took her father’s car and crashed into a tree and killed her friend. It is not always the driver who is affected, it can happen to anyone.

"I think there is a particular problem with the under 25 year olds as they don’t have much experience and often feel invincible."

Last week in Carlisle and Workington road checks were carried out as part of Operation Orwell.

Sgt Paul Brown, of Cumbria roads policing unit, said: "These road checks show that Cumbria Constabulary, together with it’s partners, is committed to reducing the high number of youngsters killed or badly injured on our roads every year."