South Shropshire District Council's vehicles to carry road safety message

Almost two thirds of the Shropshire's fatal road accidents happened in the South Shropshire district last year.

South Shropshire District Council's vehicles now carry road safety messages as part of a three-way partnership project to reduce death toll on South Shropshire roads.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service has teamed up with South Shropshire Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership and Safer Roads Partnership in a joint road safety venture which entails displaying road safety messages on South Shropshire District Council Property Maintenance vehicles.

The venture is seen as an important step forward in promoting road safety through hard-hitting advertising campaigns. The three organisations involved are delighted that they have been able to work together to make the venture possible.

District Fire Officer Jim Quinn explained:

"Last year Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service attended 336 road traffic collisions in which there were 17 deaths - 11 of which were in the South Shropshire area - and 121 casualties. Much of our time is now spent at road crashes across the county and we want to get the message across to Shropshire motorists that they must take more care on our roads."

Rose Genner of South Shropshire Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership also outlined its reasons for backing the campaign:

"This venture will support our partnerships' road safety strategy and enhance the work of partner organisations in reducing road deaths and injuries in the county."

Meanwhile, Richard Fowler for Safer Roads Partnership in West Mercia, expressed his pleasure at linking up with the two other organisations on this project.

"We are delighted to be a part of this venture and are grateful for the opportunity to show our support for this campaign. The adverts used have been extremely successful when used elsewhere and the chance to have them displayed on additional vehicles is too good to turn down.

"We are confident that they get the road safety message across in a clear and thought provoking way and are hopeful that we will be able to form further partnerships of this sort in the future."

Issued by South Shropshire District Council - 2 April 2008