Young actors add drama to road traffic demonstration

Keeping people safe on the roads in winter is the work of councils, police and firefighters.

To dramatically bring home the dangers of driving under the influence of drink or drugs, or taking insufficient care on the wintry roads, a road traffic accident reconstruction was staged by firefighters, police and ambulance on St Paul’s Square in Bedford from 7.30 pm on Saturday 27th November.

Fire crews, trained in using powerful cutting equipment to dismantle vehicles, took a car apart allowing access to the trapped “victims”. Bedfordshire Police then “arrested” the driver and “breathalysed” the driver. The driver and victims were played by actors from Biddenham Upper School which, supported by Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service, has produced a number of theatre productions related to road and fire safety. Specialist make-up depicting injuries was the Bedford College theatrical department.

The event can be viewed on-line at www.local-news.tv

Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service Northern Area Commander Tony Rogers said : “We have carried out these demonstrations in previous years in Ampthill and Biggleswade - they are very effective in bringing home to onlookers the reality of being in a car accident caused by drink driving, speeding or simple carelessness. We expect a big crowd for this show.

“Fire crews rescue seven times as many people from wrecked car as they do from burning business - so making people drive safer is important to our organisation.”

Beds Police will be continuing Operation Jackdaw doing roadside tests for drink driving during coming months. They will also be giving out wrist bands to “designated drivers” entitling them to free soft drinks in participating pubs and clubs in Bedford and Luton.

Bedfordshire Police’s annual clampdown on drink/drug driving is led by from the Roads Policing Unit. It is Codenamed Operation Jackdaw and under this police will be doing roadside tests for drink driving during coming weeks. They will also be giving out wrist bands to “designated drivers” entitling them to free soft drinks in participating pubs and clubs in Bedford and Luton.

Chief Inspector Jane Aspin said:“We take driving under the influence of drink or drugs extremely seriously and are stepping up our patrols during the Christmas period. Our aim is to breathalyse more drivers than ever before during this campaign and if you drive whilst over the limit it is only be a matter of time before you are caught.

“We will increasing both high visibility patrols and covert patrols, including our ANPR teams, to catch drink drivers. We are also using Bluetooth technology to send text messages to enabled mobile phones giving anti-drink drive messages.

“We are urging those going to Christmas parties to ensure they have a designated driver. To help we are offering wristbands to designated drivers and they will receive free soft drinks in selected pubs in the Town Centre. Proof that they are the designated driver is needed. Officers on Friday and Saturday nights will be patrolling car parks around the town to offer the bands to the drivers that they see.”

“Collisions involving alcohol devastate the lives of victims and their families and ruin the lives of offenders, who could face a lengthy driving ban or imprisonment and have to live with the lifelong guilt of having killed or injured someone through their reckless behaviour. Offenders can also lose their job, home and their livelihood,”

“If you know someone who is about to drive under the influence of drink or drugs we actively pursue any information we receive. Call 01234 841212, or text to 07786 200011 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”

Bedford Borough Councillor Colleen Atkins, Executive member Bedfordshire and Luton Combined Fire Authority, said: "Drink driving appears to increase over the Christmas festivity period. Working with our partners, we want to reduce road traffic accidents and the tragedy of death. We hope that by seeing someone being cut out of a crashed car will bring the message home to drivers not to drink and drive, not only during the festive period, but throughout the year and therefore reduce the number of people being needlessly injured in road traffic collisions.”

Cllr David McVicar, Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities and Healthier Lifestyles, Central Bedfordshire Council said: "By working with our partners we hope to raise awareness of the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol particularly at Christmas time when this offence appears to increase. By focussing on this issue we aim to reduce drink driving not only during the festive period, but throughout the year and therefore reduce the number of people being needlessly injured in road traffic collisions.”

Statistics from Amey for Bedfordshire and Luton:

75% (256) of drivers involved in injury collisions who failed a roadside breath test between 1/1/2004 – 31/12/2009 were under the age of 40.

These collisions resulted in 372 casualties. In 26% (66) of these collisions, the driver was recorded as uninjured but these collisions had caused injury to 88 other people – 2 of which were fatal.

National Statistic:
“If you drive at twice the legal alcohol limit you are at least 30 times more likely to cause a road crash, than a driver who hasn't been drinking.” http://www.dft.gov.uk/think/focusareas/driving/drinkdriving?whoareyou_id=&page=Overview

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Issued on behalf of all participating partners and agencies by Manners PR for Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service. www.bedsfire.com Jacquie Manners (01234) 326198

Notes to Editors:

Amey is a leading provider of public services. The company takes a unique approach to the design, management, and maintenance of the UK’s vital assets and services such as transport, roads, railways, bridges, schools, airports, public spaces, and offices. Amey has a proven track record in delivering outstanding stand-alone services, as well as pioneering a leading integrated service model. This means we have the unique ability to integrate our offering both horizontally, across different services, and vertically, from design to delivery.