Project EDWARD – let’s keep safe on the roads

Safety experts at Bury Council are asking all road users to play their part in Project EDWARD – European Day Without A Road Death – on Wednesday 21 September.

The EU aims to halve the number of road deaths between 2010 and 2020, and Project EDWARD seeks to highlight in one day the work being done by organisations and the measures that individuals can take to meet this target.

The project is being supported by all 30 members of TISPOL, the European Traffic Police Network. People can show their support by going to the Make a Pledge page at https://www.tispol.org/edward

Jan Brabin, Bury Council’s senior road safety officer, said: “We work all year round to promote road safety through education, training and publicity. In the same way, all road users can do things daily to improve their own safety and contribute to others’ safety.

“One death or one serious injury is one too many. This initiative is focused on one day, but the effects of a serious injury or death are far more long term and profound.”

There were 179 road incidents in Bury in 2015 which resulted in 266 casualties, of which two were fatal and 28 involved serious injuries.

Jan added: “Some drivers behave in a way that puts others at risk; however, pedestrians and cyclists also do things that increase their risk of harm. We all have a responsibility to be vigilant and share the road space responsibly, acting within the law and behaving in a co-operative manner.

“As we approach the date of the project all road users should take time to reflect on their behaviour and by signing the pledge they will be making a long-term commitment to making roads safer.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 25 August 2016.