Police officers at Whitehill Fire Station, Stockport, where free child car seat checks are taking place
Local authorities, police forces and other stakeholders across the UK are placing extra emphasis on road safety today, in support of Project EDWARD.
Project EDWARD (European Day Without A Road Death) is an awareness-raising initiative which spreads simple safety messages, helping road users to play their part in working towards zero road deaths.
The 2019 edition of Project EDWARD takes place today (26 Sept) – with the message: “however we use the roads, we are all more vulnerable than we think we are.”
Free child safety checks in Manchester
Greater Manchester Police is encouraging anyone who would like to get their child safety restraints checked for free, to attend a special event taking place in Stockport.
Safer Roads Greater Manchester will be at Whitehill Fire Station between 12-5pm, helping to ensure child car seats have been fitted correctly and that children are strapped in securely.
Chief inspector Matt Bailey-Smith, Greater Manchester Police, said: “We’re encouraging anyone who would like to get their child safety restraints checked for free, to come along on the day. It’s a great opportunity that could save your child’s life in the event of an accident.”
Meanwhile, police officers will also be focusing on seat belt safety – particularly in regards to children – and will be monitoring seat belts and safety restraints.
Officers will be reminding drivers of their responsibility to make sure that any child under 14 years old uses a seat belt or the right child restraint.
CI Bailey-Smith added: “Last year there were 50 fatalities on the roads of Greater Manchester and our aim is to reduce this number to zero.
“Project EDWARD is a great initiative to focus everyone’s attention on road safety, which will increase education and help us reach our target.”
High visibility patrols in Surrey and Sussex
In Surrey and Sussex, roads policing officers are providing high-visibility patrols, assisted by road safety officers from Sussex Safer Roads Partnership and DriveSMART, Surrey.
Casualty reduction officers will also be delivering road safety messages to schools and universities – as well as on social media.
Katy Bourne, Sussex police and crime commissioner, said: “I’m pleased to see our partners working together and pledging their continued commitment to road safety.
“One road death is one too many. By pledging today to use our roads responsibly, whether as a driver, cyclist or pedestrian, we can all start to make a collective effort to look out for each other and minimise the risk of a collision that could have life-changing consequences.”
Support in South Yorkshire
The South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership (SYSRP), which is made up of the four local authorities, fire and police service, is supporting Project EDWARD.
The partnership is asking people in the region to pledge to be safer road users and take extra care on the roads.
Joanne Wehrle, SYSRP manager, said: “We fully support this initiative to reduce the number of deaths caused by collisions on Europe’s roads.
“We pledge to continue in our everyday work to promote positive behaviour and attitudes among all road users and to raise awareness about the potential consequences of poor behaviours and risk taking among road users.
“Our work in this area is all year round so we will continue to place the focus on responsible road use, 365 days a year.”
Community Speedwatch in Essex
Community speed watch in #Southend supporting #ProjectEDWARD today, @SouthendBC @SaferEssexRoads @YourSouthchurch @Southend_CSP @EssexNewsDesk pic.twitter.com/UlLs8gfZuD
— Southend Road Safety (@RoadSafety_SBC) September 26, 2019
Are you supporting Project EDWARD 2019?
If you are running an event in support of Project EDWARD, let us know by emailing Edward Seaman, assistant editor of Road Safety News – and we will add it to this coverage.
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