Think about where you crash this Christmas
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) have launched their Christmas advert for this year’s festive period – ‘Should Have
Crashed’. While it may be missing a penguin, conveniently placed mistletoe or a convoy of festive lorries, SWFRS hopes to drive home the message which encourages drivers of South Wales to celebrate safely and think before they drink, such as finding somewhere comfortable to ‘crash’ for the night.
Over the Christmas period in 2013, the Service saw a 57% increase in the number of road traffic collisions (RTCs) from the previous year, with the morning after the night before being the peak period where collisions took place – 8am to 10am. Over 55% of those RTCs also took place on non-major roads, with just 11% being on the M4. SWFRS is working with drivers across South Wales to remind them that alcohol remains in the blood stream for over 12 hours, which equates to two bottles of wine, and that they might be at risk of being over the limit if driving before this.
The ‘Should Have Crashed’ campaign emphasises the dangers involved when drivers attempt to drink and drive – even after just a glass of wine or a pint of beer. In the last three festive periods (2011 to 2013) there have been over 135 RTC injuries, as well as
three fatalities.
Vaughan Jenkins, Head of Road Safety at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said, “Over the Christmas period, we all like to relax, catch up with friends and family, as well as enjoy the festive food and drink. However, as a Service we want to encourage the public to celebrate safely and if they do fancy a tipple at their work’s Christmas do or at a friend’s festive gathering, then why not organise a lift or a taxi home, maybe even a bed for a night at a friend’s. Don’t risk your life and others by getting behind the wheel
after a drink.
“The ‘Should Have Crashed’ campaign we think perfectly sums up our celebrate safely message and we hope will ensure that drivers from across South Wales will think before they take a drink and travel safely this Christmas.”
Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive of Brake, the road safety charity, commented “As a charity that supports bereaved and injured road crash victims, we witness the suffering that drink driving inflicts, and appeal to everyone in South Wales to help put a stop to it. Drink and drug driving deaths and injuries are cruel and needless, ending and ruining lives and leaving traumatised families to pick up the pieces. If you’re driving home from celebrations this festive season, it’s vital you take your responsibility for
people’s safety seriously, and stay completely off booze and drugs or plan to get home by taxi or public transport. It’s a fact that even small amounts of alcohol or drugs significantly increase your risk of causing a crash.”
Last year, over a quarter of the casualties were aged between 26 and 35 years old, however it was the passengers of drivers aged 17 to 25 who suffered more injuries in the RTCs attended by SWFRS.
Watch the video hereGlad She Crashed At Yours
