Safer Lancashire has launched a new campaign in response to figures showing that almost a quarter of people who died on Lancashire’s roads in the last two years were not wearing a seatbelt.
The new campaign tells the story of Rick Pilkington who was stopped by a police officer for not wearing his seatbelt.
Rick explains: “I was stopped by PC Dave Dunn. He gave me a £60 fine but also spoke to me about my actions. Through his personality and approach, he persuaded me to change my ways.
“Just four weeks later I was in an accident on the M6 involving my van and an articulated lorry. The van flipped, jumped the hard shoulder and rolled onto its side.
“Amazingly as I crawled out through the wrecked windscreen, the person that greeted me was PC Dunn. Quite simply, without wearing my seatbelt I wouldn’t be here today.”
The Safer Lancashire campaign will run across the county, particularly targeting men aged 25 to 34 years.
Following research showing that a key factor in persuading people to wear a seatbelt would be realising their children were copying them, the campaign includes imagery of a typical dad, not wearing a seatbelt, with his two year old son copying his bad behaviour.
Councillor Mike Calvert, Lancashire County Council cabinet member, said: “Children can copy bad habits, including not wearing a seatbelt. It’s important to set a good example for younger members of your family.
“You should always wear a seatbelt, even on short journeys. People often don’t realise that many accidents happen close to home. Even safe drivers can be involved in an accident caused by someone else’s mistake.”
For more information contact Ginette Unsworth on 01772 536002.
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