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Warning to drivers using mobiles Warning to drivers using mobiles
(about 1 hour later)
Police officers will be stationed outside Welsh fire stations this week to catch drivers using mobile phones. Police officers will be stationed outside Welsh fire stations in a week-long operation to catch drivers using mobile phones.
The operation will also target those not wearing seat belts and aims to educate offenders about the dangers. It will also target those not wearing seat belts and aims to educate offenders about the dangers.
But if they are spotted, offenders will be given the chance to avoid paying a fine by watching a 10-minute safety lecture at a nearby fire station.But if they are spotted, offenders will be given the chance to avoid paying a fine by watching a 10-minute safety lecture at a nearby fire station.
The officers will be positioned in areas that have some of the highest levels of crashes in Wales. Officers will be positioned in areas with high crash levels.
The action is part of Road Safety Week involving all three emergency services.The action is part of Road Safety Week involving all three emergency services.
If drivers are stopped by police, they can agree to pay a £30 fine if they are not wearing a seat belt. The mobile phone offender can agree to accept three penalty points on their licence and pay a £60 fine. If drivers are stopped by police, they can agree to pay a £30 fine if they are not wearing a seat belt. The mobile phone user can agree to accept three penalty points on their licence and pay a £60 fine.
Otherwise, the offender can attend the fire station, which will be nearby, to see a 10-minute presentation on the consequences of distractions at the wheel and not wearing a seat belt. DANGERS AT HOME AND ON THE ROAD IN SOUTH WALES: HOMESFires: 2007 - 1,056; 2008 - 722Deaths: 2007 - 6; 2008 - 5Injuries: 2007 - 95; 2008 - 45ROADSCollisions: 2007 - 1318; 2008 - 1237Extrications: 2007 - 280; 2008 - 217Deaths: 2007 - 18; 2008 - 19Injuries: 2007 - 554; 2008 - 533Source: South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Otherwise, they can attend the fire station, which will be nearby, to see a 10-minute presentation on the consequences of distractions at the wheel and not wearing a seat belt.
DANGERS AT HOME AND ON THE ROAD IN SOUTH WALES: HOMESFires: 2007 - 1,056; 2008 - 722Deaths: 2007 - 6; 2008 - 5Injuries: 2007 - 95; 2008 - 45ROADSCollisions: 2007 - 1318; 2008 - 1237Extrications: 2007 - 280; 2008 - 217Deaths: 2007 - 18; 2008 - 19Injuries: 2007 - 554; 2008 - 533Source: South Wales Fire and Rescue Service
Chief fire officer Andy Marles from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said their role in educating people in safe driving was becoming more important.Chief fire officer Andy Marles from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said their role in educating people in safe driving was becoming more important.
"Firefighters in south Wales attend thousands of road traffic collisions every year and witness some of the dreadful consequences of simple mistakes made every day by people behind the wheel," he said."Firefighters in south Wales attend thousands of road traffic collisions every year and witness some of the dreadful consequences of simple mistakes made every day by people behind the wheel," he said.
"We hope that this week we can make a difference by working with our colleagues in the other emergency services."We hope that this week we can make a difference by working with our colleagues in the other emergency services.
"Hopefully we'll get to people to change their ways, before our firefighters have to deal with them in a real road crash.""Hopefully we'll get to people to change their ways, before our firefighters have to deal with them in a real road crash."
Gerry Wilson, the area ambulance officer for Cardiff, urged motorists to watch their speed and concentrate solely on driving when out on the roads.Gerry Wilson, the area ambulance officer for Cardiff, urged motorists to watch their speed and concentrate solely on driving when out on the roads.
'Lapse in concentration''Lapse in concentration'
"It only takes a momentary lapse in concentration to destroy somebody's life, and tear a family apart," he said."It only takes a momentary lapse in concentration to destroy somebody's life, and tear a family apart," he said.
South Wales Police's road safety manager Wayne Tucker said he thought more people would choose to watch the video than be fined in the operation.South Wales Police's road safety manager Wayne Tucker said he thought more people would choose to watch the video than be fined in the operation.
"The video should make people question their actions when getting into their vehicle, and realise what awful consequences can result from simple decisions they make," he said."The video should make people question their actions when getting into their vehicle, and realise what awful consequences can result from simple decisions they make," he said.
In the latest national framework for fire and rescue services issued by the Welsh Assembly Government, it states that each service must work in partnership with relevant agencies to reduce death and injury on the road.In the latest national framework for fire and rescue services issued by the Welsh Assembly Government, it states that each service must work in partnership with relevant agencies to reduce death and injury on the road.
Road Safety Week is run by the charity Brake.Road Safety Week is run by the charity Brake.