Dicing With Death? Stay Safe on the Road
This Greater Manchester Police image was produced a few years ago to simulate the effects of driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs as part of a major road safety campaign.
Greater Manchester Police are committed to keeping the roads of our region safe and run frequent operations to counter the threat caused by driving while impaired.
Recent statistics show that 75 people lost their lives on the roads of Greater Manchester in 2011 compared to 53 in the previous year, an increase of 42 per cent.
The increase comes against a background trend of decreasing road deaths that has seen fatalities drop from 90 in 2006 to 53 in 2010 a decrease of more than 40 per cent.
However, driving while impaired is only one cause of deaths in road collisions. Officers say that though there are many factors contributing to the loss of these lives they believe that speeding, drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts and drivers using mobile phones have played a significant role in many of these deaths.
Operation Dice has been set up to tackle drivers putting their own lives and that of passengers and other road users at risk through driving dangerously and flouting speeding, seat belt and mobile phone laws.
The campaign asks drivers to slow down, belt up and switch off their mobiles and will be featured on poster, bus side and road side advertising.
Chief Constable Peter Fahy said: "The real cost of road collisions is the loss of precious lives and the devastation it causes to the family and friends of the deceased. Their pain and loss can be felt for decades and most people never really get over it.
“It can also profoundly affect people who have caused the deaths and can leave them physically and emotionally scarred.
“Speed is a major factor in pedestrian fatalities with research showing that those involved in a 30mph collision generally survive while those hit at 40mph do not. I urge drivers to consider this when they get behind the wheel and drive with due care and consideration to weather and road conditions.
“Mobile phones, Sat Navs and car stereos distract drivers preventing them paying full attention to driving safely and are a major cause of many collisions. Using the phone while driving, whether hands-free or not is a serious distraction and the safest option is to switch it off before you start the car.
“Drivers should also ensure that they and everyone in their vehicle is wearing a seat belt however short the journey."
The campaign is being supported by June Webb who lost her daughter Jodie Webb on her 21st birthday in August 2000 in a road collision. Jodie’s friend Joanne Greenwood also aged 21 also lost her life in the crash.
The launch of the campaign took place at the Road Peace Memorial Garden in Beswick, set up in memory of Jodie and Joanne and others who have lost their lives on our roads.
Vist Dicing with Death for more information.
To find out more about policing in Greater Manchester please visit our website.
You should call 101, the new national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.
Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life.
You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.
Dicing With Death? Stay Safe on the Road
This Greater Manchester Police image was produced a few years ago to simulate the effects of driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs as part of a major road safety campaign.
Greater Manchester Police are committed to keeping the roads of our region safe and run frequent operations to counter the threat caused by driving while impaired.
Recent statistics show that 75 people lost their lives on the roads of Greater Manchester in 2011 compared to 53 in the previous year, an increase of 42 per cent.
The increase comes against a background trend of decreasing road deaths that has seen fatalities drop from 90 in 2006 to 53 in 2010 a decrease of more than 40 per cent.
However, driving while impaired is only one cause of deaths in road collisions. Officers say that though there are many factors contributing to the loss of these lives they believe that speeding, drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts and drivers using mobile phones have played a significant role in many of these deaths.
Operation Dice has been set up to tackle drivers putting their own lives and that of passengers and other road users at risk through driving dangerously and flouting speeding, seat belt and mobile phone laws.
The campaign asks drivers to slow down, belt up and switch off their mobiles and will be featured on poster, bus side and road side advertising.
Chief Constable Peter Fahy said: "The real cost of road collisions is the loss of precious lives and the devastation it causes to the family and friends of the deceased. Their pain and loss can be felt for decades and most people never really get over it.
“It can also profoundly affect people who have caused the deaths and can leave them physically and emotionally scarred.
“Speed is a major factor in pedestrian fatalities with research showing that those involved in a 30mph collision generally survive while those hit at 40mph do not. I urge drivers to consider this when they get behind the wheel and drive with due care and consideration to weather and road conditions.
“Mobile phones, Sat Navs and car stereos distract drivers preventing them paying full attention to driving safely and are a major cause of many collisions. Using the phone while driving, whether hands-free or not is a serious distraction and the safest option is to switch it off before you start the car.
“Drivers should also ensure that they and everyone in their vehicle is wearing a seat belt however short the journey."
The campaign is being supported by June Webb who lost her daughter Jodie Webb on her 21st birthday in August 2000 in a road collision. Jodie’s friend Joanne Greenwood also aged 21 also lost her life in the crash.
The launch of the campaign took place at the Road Peace Memorial Garden in Beswick, set up in memory of Jodie and Joanne and others who have lost their lives on our roads.
Vist Dicing with Death for more information.
To find out more about policing in Greater Manchester please visit our website.
You should call 101, the new national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.
Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life.
You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.