Road safety partners in Wales are spreading the word on driving safely through events being held across the region as part of National Road Safety Week (November 23-27). 

This year, the three Welsh Fire and Rescue Services in partnership with neighbouring local authorities and supported by local Police forces is focussing its attention on raising awareness of the five main causes of fatal road traffic collisions in Wales.

These are:

1. SPEEDING

2. ALCOHOL

3. DRUGS

4. MOBILE PHONES

5. SEAT BELTS

The theme is ’Fatal Five’ – this refers specifically to - Don’t drink and drive, Kill your speed, Don’t get careless, Belt up, and Switch off your mobile phone. Drivers are urged to remember the ’Fatal Five’ when driving with the aim to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads across South Wales.  

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service Road Safety Team is committed to making sure our communities are safer places to work, live and play. Drivers can help by driving responsibly and spreading the road safety message as widely as possible. 

Corporate Head of Protection and Prevention Chris Margetts says: “Never take the risk, the consequences could be fatal. There is absolutely no excuse for driving irresponsibly; If you have a tendency of running late, make an effort to leave earlier; If there is a problem with your vehicle, get it checked; If you are driving under harsh weather conditions then adjust your speed; If you don’t know the road, drive vigilantly; Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol; There is no excuse not to drive cautiously. 

“We do not want anyone to end up as another statistic; we want you to arrive alive.”

Neil Evans, head of road safety, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service reinforces the need for the three Fire and Rescue Service’s in Wales to maximise their resources: “Together, we need to do all we can to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on Welsh roads by engaging, informing and reminding them that attached to a poor choice is a poor consequence.

“We are looking forward to engaging in this ‘All Wales’ event and aim to further contribute to a reduction in the numbers of people that are killed and seriously injured on Welsh roads every year.”

Gary Rae, Director of Communications and Campaigns from the Charity, Brake, said: “Our Road Safety Week 2015 theme of ‘drive less, live more’ makes clear the link between improving road safety, preventing casualties, protecting people and the planet, and our choice of transport.

“Road Safety Week has become the most crucial fixture in our calendar for raising public awareness of road safety, and it has also become a crucial fixture for many educators, road safety professionals, and employers around the country too. 

“We are very happy to be working with the Fire Service this year and to have their support to add an extra voice to demonstrate to the public how big of an issue that road safety actually is.”

For more fire and road safety information, visit http://www.mawwfire.gov.uk or  ‘Like’ us on Facebook and ‘Follow’ us on Twitter.