ROAD Safety Week kicks off today with a hard hitting message for motorists.
Shocking statistics show that one in six drivers who die at the wheel have illegal drugs in their system.
And with one in six road deaths caused by drink driving, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has joined forces with Huddersfield road safety charity Brake to warn drivers to steer clear of drink and drugs.
Last year, for every person West Yorkshire firefighters rescued from a fire, they rescued nine from road traffic collisions.
They have now launched the ‘Not a drop, Not a drag, Stay Sober, Save Lives’ campaign in a bid to stop people losing their lives behind the wheel.
Firefighter Brian Robson said: “Far too many people are dying on our roads and unfortunately firefighters see first hand the devastating aftermath of these crashes.”
Firefighters are holding a series of mock road traffic collisions all this week to show in graphic detail the devastation they face when arriving at the scene of a crash.
On Wednesday they will be at Dewsbury Market, Cloth Hall Street, from 10am and on Thursday they will be at Huddersfield University from midday.
They will also visit schools and next Saturday fire crews will be at Kings Street, Huddersfield at 1.45pm, Cleckheaton Market at 11.30am, Tesco, Bradford Road, Batley at 12.30pm, Heckmondwike Market at 3pm and Dewsbury Market at 3.35pm.
