Mothers join forces to launch road safety campaign

The crumpled remains of a car involved in a fatal road traffic collision will be used in a hard hitting road safety campaign during December.

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service and Wiltshire Police are joining forces to show drivers the potential consequences of being in a crash on the roads, highlighting risks such as speeding, losing concentration, using mobile phones, drinking and not wearing a seatbelt.

The Black Dog display will be piloted at the Warminster Services, on the A36/A350 junction, on 12-14 December. The campaign has been named after the mythical animal that is often blamed for drivers losing control of their vehicles.

Ian Hopkins, Road Safety Development Manager for Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service, explained: “Over the three days, drivers stopping at the services will see this wrecked car and they will be able to talk to police officers, firefighters and victims about the dangers of using our roads. The display is shocking but hopefully it will make people think.”

The car on show belonged to teenager Matthew Williams, from Trowbridge, who was killed near Melksham in February 2007. The 17-year-old had passed his driving test just one day before.

Local road safety campaigner Clare Brixey, whose son Ashley was killed in a car crash in October 2004, said: “There is no greater horror than losing a child. Matthew’s family have allowed us to use his car because they want other drivers to fully appreciate the risks they face every time they take to the roads.”

The display includes a testimonial from Matthew’s mother, Ann, telling of how her family has been changed forever by the death of her son.

Steve Colwill, traffic management officer with Wiltshire Police, said that the hard-hitting approach was designed to cut through driver complacency. “Drivers are constantly being told to take care, but this shows the consequences of not taking care. We hope that seeing the brutal reality of a road traffic collision will help to change driver behaviour.”

It is hoped to take the roadshow to other locations across Wiltshire and Swindon in 2009, as a progression of the successful Safe Drive Stay Alive partnership. Feedback on the pilot display can be left at www.safedrivestayalive.org.uk

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