Almost a quarter of all the people who died on Lancashire's roads in the last two years were not wearing their seatbelts, according to figures released today by Safer Lancashire.




That is the shocking truth behind a new road safety campaign aimed at reminding people in Lancashire about the importance of wearing a seatbelt.

The new campaign, organised by Safer Lancashire, uses the real story of Rick Pilkington to drive home its message.

Samlesbury resident Rick walked away from a major accident on the M6, as he was wearing his seatbelt - but the story could have been very different.

Only a month earlier he'd been stopped by a police officer for not wearing a seat belt – an event which Rick believes saved his life:

"I was stopped by PC Dave Dunn. He gave me a £60 fine, but he also spoke to me about my actions."

Rick Pilkington motorist

"Through his personality and approach, he persuaded me to change my ways.

"Just four weeks later, I was involved in an accident on the M6 involving my van and an articulated lorry. The van flipped, jumped the hard shoulder and rolled onto its side.

"Amazingly as I crawled out through the wrecked windscreen, the person that greeted me was PC Dunn. Quite simply, without wearing my seatbelt I wouldn't be here today."

The Safer Lancashire Partnership advertising campaign will run across the county, particularly targeting men aged 25 to 34, encouraging them to belt up in the car.

Following research which showed that a key factor in persuading people to wear a seatbelt would be realising their children were copying them, the campaign includes eye-catching imagery of a typical Dad, not wearing a seatbelt, with his two year old son copying his bad behaviour.

Chief Inspector Debbie Howard said: “It is evident from our observations and from injuries suffered in collisions, that too many people still don’t wear their seatbelts.

“It’s an offence that is viewed as trivial to many, however, in that moment when you need it, a seatbelt will make the difference between being able to walk away from a crash or suffering just a minor injury to one that is life-threatening or life changing as Rick’s case clearly illustrates.”

County Councillor Mike Calvert, cabinet member, said: "Children can copy bad habits, including not wearing a seatbelt. It's important to set a good example for younger members of your family.

"You should always wear a seatbelt, even on short journeys. People often don't realise that many accidents happen close to home. Even safe drivers can be involved in an accident caused by someone else's mistake.

"If your child copies you when you don't wear a seatbelt, you are putting both of you in danger."

The campaign will also remind parents of the need to properly fit appropriate car seats for their children.

Seatbelt facts:
23% of fatalities in Lancashire from 1^st January 2009 until 1^st November 2011, were not wearing a seatbelt (source – Lancashire Police report) Areas with the highest number of fatalities were East Lancashire, Preston, South Ribble, Lancaster and West Lancashire.

Nationally, you are twice as likely to die without a seatbelt and around one person's life a day could be saved by wearing a seatbelt (Think! road safety campaign).

Haven't we seen this somewhere before ?? ( see postings 17/2/12 ) Another useless posting !

So over three quarters of the people who died,were wearing seatbelts then?