Call for road users to look out for each other

by Lisa Reeves

Saturday 15^th November 2014

Sat 15^th Nov 2014

CFRS crew ready for Brake Road Safety Week

Twenty eight people were killed and 433 seriously injured on Cheshire's roads last year.

As part of Brake Road Safety Week, which runs from Monday 17th to Sunday 23rd November, Cheshire firefighters will be out and about across the supporting the national campaign and passing on vital safety advice.

For this year's Road Safety Week, the Service is asking everyone to look out for each other on roads, because being selfish can easily lead to tragedy. They will be particularly calling on drivers to protect people on foot and bike by slowing down to 20mph in communities, looking longer and taking it slow at junctions and bends, and giving people plenty of room.

Peter Shields, Assistant Road Safety Manager for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We want everyone to put safety first, make sure they can be seen, not take chances, and be considerate to one another. This will help avoid tragedies with people suffering horrific injuries or even being killed because of someone going too fast, too close or not looking out.

"Firefighters will be out and about across Cheshire throughout November to help raise awareness of road safety issues and encourage everyone to be aware of road safety, not only from behind the wheel but also when walking, cycling, skating or running. We are committed to reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads and so we are delighted to support Brake with this important campaign."

Fire and rescue crews will be giving out road safety advice throughout the week at Sainsbury's on Alderley Road and Handforth Dean Shopping Centre.

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Kathryn Blackburn

Saturday 15^th November 2014 at 9:47 am

What a sensible and welcome initiative. Sincerely hope drivers take it to heart.
Residents in Dean Row have asked Cheshire East Highways to take our road safety to heart so far our attempts have been met with contempt and platitude. It would seem that only recent accident figures are taken into account to justify any re-think on keeping children and cyclists out of harms way and not historical fatalities. How short sighted bordering on negligent.

Amy Allen

Saturday 15^th November 2014 at 8:14 pm

Great idea - can someone advise me who to contact with regards to getting a pelican crossing at the end of Sefton Drive? There are currently around 18 children who cross Stanneylands Road on a daily basis going to Lacey Green Academy and when the traffic is backed up from the lights, it's impossible to see past the cars to the oncoming traffic. This is incredibly dangerous and I worry every day when I cross the road with my 2 children. This certainly needs an assessment by the authorities at rush hour to properly investigate the issue. Any advice please? Thank you.

DELETED ACCOUNT

Monday 17^th November 2014 at 8:33 am

This is an excellent idea. It would be great if they could team up with Stockport's firefighters - because the back routes between Stockport and Wilmslow are seriously dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians. The Bramhall to Wilmslow route has lots of cyclists and few places where it is safe to overtake so both need to be cautious. Wilmslow Road itself is bad because of cyclists having to move to pass the vehicles parked at the junction and road by Lakeland.

Sandra Cox

Monday 17^th November 2014 at 8:59 am

Amy - you could ring Highways at CEC about a pelican crossing at the end of Sefton Drive and ask your local Councillor for help and advice. Sometimes there have to have been several accidents on a stretch of road before any changes are considered which is crazy and may not apply in your case. Good luck.

Monday 17^th November 2014 at 10:41 am

A PS Amy - since I wrote earlier have seen under 'Most Discussed' in right hand column, an item 'School plans for help over serious safety issue' from 21st October which might help if you haven't seen it. The final paragraph quotes Martin Watkins of Wilmslow Town Council talking about a new Road Safety Local Area Partnership.

Chris Boothman

Wednesday 19^th November 2014 at 5:59 pm

A fine initiative and lets hope it brings a future reduction to these dreadful figures. I cannot say that I am surprised at the numbers as the standard of driving seems to be getting worse. I drive and cycle all over the area and find a frightening lack of tolerance shown by road users. For many people in Cheshire speeding has become the norm and anything that slows them down is considered a menace.