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Stop for tea with emergency
services at M6 event
MOTORWAY safety was the theme at a free
event at 17 Service Stations, located along M6, on Thursday, 11 August
2016. From 10am to 3pm,
colleagues from local Fire Services, Police Forces, Councils and TyreSafe, all
joined the Highways England's Traffic Officers to encourage drivers to Stop 4 T, to
check that their vehicles are safe to travel and to learn about the impacts of
bad driving and poor vehicle maintenance. Drivers and their families had
the opportunity to join in, in a range of activities, from examining the
Think! crashed cars, that was located at Lymm and Knutsford North Services,
though to trying a driver
simulator at Knutsford South Services. The simulator allows users to see what can happen if the unexpected
occurs when you are driving too fast. Vintage Emergency Services Vehicles where
also be available to explore at some locations.
Visitors to the events have been asked to help promote the safety messages by tweeting photos from
selfie boards and entering a free prize draw.
Stuart Lovatt, Safety Action Plan Team Leader at Highways England said:-"Safety
days are always popular with drivers and families, and they are a fantastic
opportunity to check you're doing everything you should be doing to get fit for
travel.
Our motorways are the safest in the world, but only because we take safety so
seriously. It's a message we want to pass on to the drivers of today, and the
drivers of tomorrow."
The Stop 4 T safety day is part of a national summer campaign
urging drivers to ensure they're totally prepared and know about the latest
signs and signals they will see on England's Motorways.
With 46,000 breakdowns on England's motorways and major A roads last summer,
drivers are also being reminded what to do if they break down, including if that
is on a section of 'Smart Motorway' where there is no hard shoulder.
The thousands of incidents include trailers and caravans incorrectly fitted,
tyre blow outs and people not having enough fuel to complete their journeys.
Highways England is advising drivers of the resources on offer to
help them
arrive at their destinations safely, including advice about driving on smart
motorways where signs and signals are used to help ease the flow of traffic to
improve journeys.
The Stop 4 T events on the M6 on Thursday have had the
following 6
themes:-
T is for Tyres
TyreSafe will be on hand to offer advice at almost every service area on the M6.
Checking your treads and pressures could save your life. Poorly-maintained tyres
affect steering, braking and handling, and are more prone to blowouts; putting
yourself, your passengers and other lives at risk.
James Amor's motor sport and rally rescue
background was put to the test when he witnessed a blowout that spun a car into
the central reservation between Kirkham and Preston. The crash turned the
vehicle round leaving the terrified mum and two daughters facing the oncoming
traffic in the dark. Fortunately, James was in a safe position to go to their
aid.
T is for Tiredness
Tiredness can kill. Never drive tired and take regular breaks.
T is for Towing
Make sure your vehicle is heavy enough to safely tow your trailer. There is a
legal limit. Fit additional mirrors when you are towing any trailer that is
wider than your vehicle. Ensure the tow bar is clean and free of grease, that
the doors and windows are secure and the aerial is safe.
T is for Two Second Rule
The 2-second rule is a simple but effective way of making sure you keep a safe
distance from the vehicle in front. Double it in wet conditions.
When a 4x4 ploughed into the back of his minibus on the M56 returning from
Liverpool, driver Howard Gunn reacted quickly went straight into training mode
to assist his passengers.
T is for Top Up your tank
Don't leave it to chance. There's no excuse for running out of fuel on the
motorway. But it's not just embarrassing. It could add hours to your journey and
it's dangerous too; both for you and the person who has to come out and refuel
your vehicle.
Highways England Traffic Officer Mike Clarke said:-
"If you're sitting in
stationary traffic at roadworks, it's easy to assume that it's all down to the
narrow lanes or the 50mph speed limit. In fact the delays are almost always
caused by someone who has broken down in a live lane. Once we have a jam like
this on our hands, the queues build at approximately a mile a minute. Please,
please make sure you have fuel and a properly maintained vehicle before you join
a motorway."
T is for Take Care around road works
Stick to the speed limit through road works. Cones and barriers are there for
road workers' and road users' safety. Take care through roadworks.
Send us your photos if you spotted 1 of the events. Our
email address is
News24@SouthportReporter.com. |
