YOUNG drivers are being urged to take extra care on the roads next year to avoid the heartache caused following a fatal accident.
A series of road accidents across East Lancashire last year led to eight people under the age of 25 being killed in car crashes.
And now local safety campaigners and police are highlighting the grief experienced by families who lose a loved one in this way - and urging young drivers to stay safe.
This year the Lancashire Telegraph launched a Wasted Lives campaign aimed at cutting the carnage among young and inexperienced drivers.
An important breakthrough is now likely, with government sources indicating that the driving age is likely to effectively be raised to 18.
Whitehall sources have confirmed that the move will be recommended in an impending government consultation document.
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By calling for a series of legislative and educational reforms through Wasted Lives, the Lancashire Telegraph hopes to see a new driver training programme brought in that will lead to safer roads and fewer deaths.
Sgt Pete Sculpher, of Eastern division's road policing unit, said: "We urge young drivers to take care whilst out on the roads to prevent them or their friends and families suffering."
Kat Whitemoss, of the Lancashire Partnership for Road safety, added: "Risk-taking on the roads leads to broken families - imagine how your family would cope if you were to kill yourself while out driving?
"They would be shattered and devastated they certainly wouldn't feel like celebrating Christmas.
"But this is the awful truth of many people's Christmases this year.
"Don't put your family through it - drive safely."
In the coming months the Telegraph will assist in launching a dedicated DVD that can be used by schools to show pupils how irresponsible behaviour behind the wheel can lead to horrific consequences, both for the driver, their friends, families and other innocent parties.
We will also be pushing for further debate in the Houses of Parliament on road safety and graduated licensing, aided by local MPs.
Posted by: StopWastedLives, Clitheroe on 12:10am Sat 29 Dec 07
Well done Sally Henfield. You have successfully written the first ever article on the Wasted Lives campaign that I can not find a fault with, and am in total acceptance of.
:D
Well done Sally Henfield. You have successfully written the first ever article on the Wasted Lives campaign that I can not find a fault with, and am in total acceptance of.
Posted by: Ian the Beancounter, Darwen on 6:45pm Sat 29 Dec 07
I was overtaken today on Duckworth Street in Darwen by a young man in a Citroen Saxo. I was heading towards the town centre, just past the junction with Vale Street, doing around 30 mph. This complete "plank" passed me doing what I would estimate as 50 mph and narrowly missed traffic coming the other way around the bend by "The Pub". He was seconds away from destroying someone's whole family! If he had been caught by the police, he would get a fine, some points and perhaps some kind of awareness programme. PEOPLE LIKE THIS SHOULD BE LOCKED UP AND BANNED FOR A MINIMUM OF 10 YEARS!. If someons stood in the street firing an AK47, but missing everyone just by sheer luck, would he be treated as leniently as these potential murderers?? It is high time our so-called elected representatives did something to ensure that appropriate punishments were handed down.
I was overtaken today on Duckworth Street in Darwen by a young man in a Citroen Saxo. I was heading towards the town centre, just past the junction with Vale Street, doing around 30 mph. This complete "plank" passed me doing what I would estimate as 50 mph and narrowly missed traffic coming the other way around the bend by "The Pub". He was seconds away from destroying someone's whole family! If he had been caught by the police, he would get a fine, some points and perhaps some kind of awareness programme. PEOPLE LIKE THIS SHOULD BE LOCKED UP AND BANNED FOR A MINIMUM OF 10 YEARS!. If someons stood in the street firing an AK47, but missing everyone just by sheer luck, would he be treated as leniently as these potential murderers?? It is high time our so-called elected representatives did something to ensure that appropriate punishments were handed down.
Posted by: StopWastedLives, Clitheroe on 11:35pm Sun 30 Dec 07
Yes, and how many sensible young drivers did you pass doing nothing wrong, which you took no notice of whatsoever in the same journey?
A greater police presence to stop muppets like this instead of blunt speed cameras and new knee jerk legislation could help clamp down on the problem.
Yes, and how many sensible young drivers did you pass doing nothing wrong, which you took no notice of whatsoever in the same journey?
A greater police presence to stop muppets like this instead of blunt speed cameras and new knee jerk legislation could help clamp down on the problem.
Posted by: Ian the Beancounter, Darwen on 4:50pm Mon 31 Dec 07
SWL, I agree that there are many good young drivers and because they drive well, they don't get noticed! Sadly, those who drive like maniacs do tend to be young and are therefore noticed more. I think that basically, you and I agree! I am still waiting for someone to tell me how a speed camera can identify whether a driver is drunk or not, insured or not,even the owner of the car or not. Only a real human bobby can do that. My main point, however, was that the penalties handed down to these people are absolutley risible and provide very little deterrant.
SWL, I agree that there are many good young drivers and because they drive well, they don't get noticed! Sadly, those who drive like maniacs do tend to be young and are therefore noticed more. I think that basically, you and I agree! I am still waiting for someone to tell me how a speed camera can identify whether a driver is drunk or not, insured or not,even the owner of the car or not. Only a real human bobby can do that. My main point, however, was that the penalties handed down to these people are absolutley risible and provide very little deterrant.
Posted by: Mother who has just lost her son, Lancashire on 7:24pm Tue 1 Jan 08
Quote - Kat Whitemoss, of the Lancashire Partnership for Road safety, added: "Risk-taking on the roads leads to broken families - imagine how your family would cope if you were to kill yourself while out driving?
Beleive me it is devastaing!! being the parent of a child who has [bold]just[/bold] been killed in a car accident I know the feeling. Your life seems to end as well, your grieving everyday wondering when this will ever get any easier! Christmas will never be the same again, how can you celebrate, trying to move on at New year is just not thinkable. As for getting through, it is hard every day, you feel devastated, hurt is not even strong enough, a total feeling of loss, angry because you wanted to see your son grow, get married and have children, enjoy and experience life to the full and it suddenly dawns on you that this is never gonna happen and the pain starts all over again. I keep asking myself how, just how am I gonna get through this!!! no answers just pain and the feelin of toal loss again. I hope just really hope that this campaign can make a difference. I would very much like to be involvedin this campaign. Please give me a call.
Quote - Kat Whitemoss, of the Lancashire Partnership for Road safety, added: "Risk-taking on the roads leads to broken families - imagine how your family would cope if you were to kill yourself while out driving?
Beleive me it is devastaing!! being the parent of a child who has just been killed in a car accident I know the feeling. Your life seems to end as well, your grieving everyday wondering when this will ever get any easier! Christmas will never be the same again, how can you celebrate, trying to move on at New year is just not thinkable. As for getting through, it is hard every day, you feel devastated, hurt is not even strong enough, a total feeling of loss, angry because you wanted to see your son grow, get married and have children, enjoy and experience life to the full and it suddenly dawns on you that this is never gonna happen and the pain starts all over again. I keep asking myself how, just how am I gonna get through this!!! no answers just pain and the feelin of toal loss again. I hope just really hope that this campaign can make a difference. I would very much like to be involvedin this campaign. Please give me a call.
I went along to the Wasted Life Campaign meeting at Blackburn Rovers today, what a super event! It was brilliant to see so many different organisations coming together and wanting to work together trying to make change and to get the message out about the wasted life campaign. I had the opportunity of meeting Ann & Terri, Matthew Hannons Parents and what strong lovely people they are. They are an inspriation to others. They gave me stength today, talking to them and sharing my emotions of what we go through as parents when a tragedy happens like this and the devastation it causes, it really helped me and makes me want to do what I can to get the message across as well. It took a lot for me to go today with my tradgedy being so raw but they helped me through and again feel they are a[italic][bold]n inspriation to others[/bold][/italic] .
I went along to the Wasted Life Campaign meeting at Blackburn Rovers today, what a super event! It was brilliant to see so many different organisations coming together and wanting to work together trying to make change and to get the message out about the wasted life campaign. I had the opportunity of meeting Ann & Terri, Matthew Hannons Parents and what strong lovely people they are. They are an inspriation to others. They gave me stength today, talking to them and sharing my emotions of what we go through as parents when a tragedy happens like this and the devastation it causes, it really helped me and makes me want to do what I can to get the message across as well. It took a lot for me to go today with my tradgedy being so raw but they helped me through and again feel they are an inspriation to others .
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