New campaign emphasises the realities of speeding

The Essex Safety Camera Partnership is challenging complacent attitudes about speed with a new campaign.

This is the second campaign by the Partnership to feature the views of ordinary Essex people with regard to speeding drivers. The earlier campaign, in 2003, featured a schoolboy, parent and school crossing patrol.

The new campaign features representatives from the various emergency services who face the aftermath of road crashes. Their individual comments on what they think of speeding motorists are direct and uncompromising, and are appearing on posters prominently displayed throughout the county during August and September.

In each case the participants volunteered to participate in the campaign and the words and images are their own.

"There is still an element of the motoring community that regards speeding as an inalienable right," commented Brian Ladd, casualty reduction manager, Essex Police. "We are challenging this attitude by confronting them with the people who literally pick up the pieces after a road crash. This campaign is intended to encourage drivers to think about how they are seen by other people if they drive too fast - and hopefully modify their driving behaviour as a result."

Nigel Brayley, an emergency department consultant who features in some of the posters said: "Speeding drivers have no concept of their own vulnerability and the vulnerability of others. The scene of an accident is not just bent, twisted metal, broken glass and spilt oil. It is damaged, charred bodies, blood and gore, with feelings of shock, remorse and sobbing for innocent victims and wasted lives.

"Try telling someone you know that someone they love has just been killed - I have to break that type of news all too often."

Simon Eatherton, senior operations manager, Essex Ambulance Service said: "The Essex Ambulance Service fully supports this campaign. Too many times our personnel are faced with serious accidents that result in multiple trauma or death, which could have been avoided through a reduction in speed."

Terry Webb, a fire fighter for Essex Fire and Rescue service who also features in some of the posters said: "I attended a double fatal incident last year. Two families' lives are changed forever, due to dangerous driving."

The campaign comprises three different posters that will be displayed on buses, bus shelters and washrooms across Essex from 9 August.

For further information contact Kelly Fairweather on 01245 437786 or Brian Ladd, 01245 452915.