Drivers targeted in bid to cut road accident toll

Fire, police and other partners will be spelling out driving dangers at dozens of events across the county to mark National Road Safety Day, co-ordinated by the Chief Fire Officers’ Association.

Every day around ten injury collisions are recorded on the roads of South Yorkshire. By educating motorists about common causes of collisions such as speeding, drink driving and stopping distances, members of the South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership aims to bring that figure to zero, if only for one day.

A range of road safety events and demonstrations are taking place across the county. They include events at Tesco on Forge Island and in Dinnington where firefighters will talk to people about how they rescue the victims of serious road smashes.

South Yorkshire Police will be delivering a range of initiatives including speed enforcement, speaking to the public at shopping centres, delivering a driver awareness course at the Lifewise Centre and carrying out enforcement using an unmarked HGV — enabling officers to see into the cabs of other HGVs and gain an alternative view into all vehicles on the road.

Advice includes:

• Keep your distance—leave at least a two second gap between you and the car in front.
• Don’t drink and drive—just one drink can affect your response times as a driver.
• Think speed—the risk of killing a pedestrian is four times higher at 40mph, than 30mph
• For a full list of events in your area visit www.syfire.gov.uk or follow @safer_roads on Twitter.