Road safety message goes interactive
DRIVERS got a chance to see exactly what it’s like being in a serious car smash - without putting their lives at risk - as part of a road safety event.
The Hinckley Hub hosted the Fatal4 session to coincide with the introduction of tough new penalties for people found using a mobile while at the wheel.
The aim was to highlight the four main causes of death or injury on the roads - using a phone, being drunk or high, speeding and not wearing a seatbelt.
Organised by the Blaby and Hinckley and Bosworth Community Safety Partnership the event showcased a number of immersive and interactive tools.
A car crash simulator and virtual reality headsets were two of the devices which allowed visitors to experience the trauma of a real-life road crash.
They were also able to test their reaction times on a special machine which showed how reaction times are affected by drugs and alcohol.
Officials from various agencies, including Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Leicestershire Police and police volunteers, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service and Leicestershire County Council, were on hand throughout the event to offer awareness and prevention advice.
Paul Mortimer, station manager for Hinckley, said: “This was a great opportunity to address road safety in a collaborative way with our partners and we were delighted with the excellent attendance on the day. This awareness work is important so that we can continue to work towards reducing the number of road traffic collisions and fatalities on the roads.”
Councillor Chris Boothby, chairman of the Blaby and Hinckley and Bosworth Community Safety Partnership, added: “We welcome the new harsher penalties for driving while using a mobile phone and this event managed to highlight the devastating results such a distraction can have. We all have a part to play in shifting attitudes and making sure that using mobile phones while driving becomes socially unacceptable.”