Driving down collisions on our roads

Almost a quarter of deaths on Oxfordshire’s roads during the past five years were due to a collision involving excess speed – where someone was driving above the speed limit. It was also a factor in one in seven serious injuries. Inappropriate speed, where the driver was travelling faster than their skill or the conditions allowed, also contributes to the casualty rate.

Two fire crews will be at the A40 Wheatley Welcome Break services from 10am – 3pm to talk to motorists about all aspects of driving, particularly the Two Second Rule. Drivers will be asked to fill in a questionnaire and this data will be collated and distributed nationally by the Chief Fire Officers’ Association.

Oxfordshire’s Chief Fire Officer David Etheridge will meet Duncan Price, Head of Road Safety at the Department for Transport, at the services to talk to the crews and see the questionnaire in action, along with the County Council’s road safety team.

Fire and Rescue crews from Bicester will be at the A34 northbound at Weston on the Green at the BP Connect Services from 2.30pm-4.30pm to conduct the drivers’ questionnaire and advise motorists stopping there.

Close following when driving is a significant danger, as it reduces the time a driver has to think and react to sudden changes. The Two Second Rule advises leaving a two-second gap between you and the vehicle in front to give an adequate stopping distance in good conditions.

Also attending will be Lisa Wills, a founder of local charity CARS (Campaigning for Awareness of Road Safety). She lost her stepson Jay, 17, and half-brother Cullum along with his friend Stacey, in separate road traffic collisions last year. The charity aims to reduce the number of young and inexperienced drivers being killed or seriously injured on our roads.

Lisa said: “My personal family tragedies show how important it is to be responsible on the road. It only takes a second for lives to be changed and damaged for ever and no one ever thinks it is going to happen to them.

“I’m grateful to the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service for the opportunity to work with them to try and help reduce the total of harm on our roads. My plea to the public is listen to the message, act on it and keep yourself and others safe – only a fool breaks the Two Second Rule.”

Road Safety Day also coincides with the Santander F1 British Grand Prix weekend at Silverstone, so traffic is likely to be busy and speed a topical subject.

For more information on road safety, see the websites www.oxfordshire.gov.uk and www.365alive.co.uk