'Fatal 4' - campaign highlights key factors responsible for death on roads
Wednesday, 23 November, 2011
POLICE have launched a campaign to raise awareness of the key factors responsible for injury and death on East Lancashire's roads.
Operation 'Fatal 4' will focus on raising awareness of the consequences associated with drink and drug driving, failing to wear a seatbelt, speeding and using a mobile phone whilst driving.
Police will be speaking to motorists to raise awareness of the issues whilst targeting those who put people at risk by driving dangerously. Officers will also be visiting schools to warn parents and children about staying safe on the roads during the winter months.
The action comes as part national Road Safety Week, which is running between Monday 21 and Sunday 27 November. The theme of this year's Road Safety Week is 'Too young to die', which aims to highlight that road crashes are the biggest killer of young people and the impact that this can have on families and communities.
In November 2010, ten people were killed or seriously injured on roads in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale. This was a reduction of 40 per cent with 14 people killed or seriously injured during November 2009.
Inspector Mark Baines said: "Statistics show that motorists who drink or take drugs and drive, speed or use a mobile phone whilst driving are one of the biggest causes of deaths and injuries on our roads.
"Operation Fatal 4 is about raising awareness of the consequences associated with driving dangerously on our roads, particularly at this time of year with the darker nights when it's harder to see pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
"We can all play a part in reducing the number of devastating crashes and casualties on our roads and I urge people to take extra precautions and drive safely this winter."
