Campaign for safety on country roads

paign urges drivers to reduce their speed on country roads – particularly at bends – and has our full support at Cheshire police.

“Also we would encourage people to consider advanced driver or rider training. RoSPA, IAM RoadSmart and BikeSafe courses change the way you drive or ride forever and make you a lot safer out on the roads and more conscious of the dangers of country roads.”

The Think! Country Roads campaign appeals for drivers to read the road ahead and anticipate potential hazards, drive at a speed that allows them to stop in the distance they can see to be clear, and respect other users of country roads, giving cyclists, walkers and horse riders plenty of space when overtaking.

Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service’s road safety manager Colin Heyes, said: “Our firefighters are too often called to free trapped motorists from vehicles following collisions on country roads.

“The number of people killed and seriously injured on this type of road is 10 times higher than that on motorways.

“Drivers need to be more aware of the risks of driving on country roads, take more care and curb their speed, particularly on approach to bends and junctions. Remember, brake before the bend, not on it.”

Launched by the Department For Transport in 2015, the Think! Country Roads campaign is aimed at all drivers. But the initaitive has a particular focus on men aged under 34, as they represent the largest number of killed or seriously injured drivers on country roads.

The new campaign will include an ‘if you could see’ advert rerun in cinemas and online.

It uses 3D scanning technology to allow you to see through the bends on a country road and spot the hazards ahead.

An audio version of the advert will also be re-run on radio stations.

For more information visit think. direct.gov.uk