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Death crash car put on display
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| Firefighters with the wreckage of the crash car |
A SMASHED-UP car involved in a crash which left its driver dead was put on display at a Warminster shopping precinct on Thursday.
Fire crews from Warminster and Wiltshire's road traffic police were at the Three Horseshoes Mall as part of a shock-tactic campaign to encourage people to slow down on the roads.
One of their props was a black Honda Accord involved in a crash at Dauntsey Lock, near Wootton Bassett, in which 20-year-old serviceman Harry Edwards, based at RAF Lyneham, died from head injuries after he hit a telegraph pole and ploughed into a field.
Mr Edwards' death on was the result of misadventure, an inquest held in Trowbridge ruled in November.
Linsey Jones, 30, from Warminster, was shocked after hearing the story behind the car and seeing its mangled remnants.
She said: "It's really, really frightening. It makes me feel sick actually. I drive and sometimes I find myself going too fast but something like this really affects you."
The main focus of the campaign is to target young drivers under the age of 25, who make up a third of people killed on the UK's roads.
Road crashes are the biggest killer of those aged between 15 and 24, with one young person killed or seriously injured on Britain's roads every hour.
Luke Aldred, 21, who works for the Defence Support Group in Imber Avenue, was also in the precinct and saw the demolished car.
He said: "Not to sound big headed but I consider myself to be quite a careful driver.
"A friend of mine has crashed his car a couple of times and I often think he should slow down. It's not something to laugh about."
Last year, 67 people died in crashes across Wiltshire, ten more than the year before that.
Warminster's fire crew manager Pete Holcombe organised and coordinated the visit.
He said: "Speed is the biggest killer and we are here trying to get motorists to keep their speed down.
"We are getting a really good reaction. Normally at things like this I have to go around trying to get people interested, but people are literally stopping and wanting to talk to us.
"There's no way for us to know if it's going to work. We just have to have our finger's crossed and hope people will take it in."
People who are hit by a car travelling at 90 mph have a 90 per cent chance that they will die, while those hit by a car travelling at 30mph have a 90 per cent chance of survival.
For more details www.wfb.org.uk/stayalivebrochure.pdf
12:26pm Tuesday 20th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: chris, melksham on 2:24pm Tue 20 May 08
Lets hope that young drivers look at this and realise that they are not invincable and slow down, not only to the speed limit but to the road conditions, its easy to say they were below the speed limit but 60 mph around a sharp bend in the road is suicidal, especially with a lack of experiance they dont know what to do if something goes wrong. Also older people should take note whether it be a car, bike, lorry or whatever. SPEED KILLS the message could'nt be simpler
Lets hope that young drivers look at this and realise that they are not invincable and slow down, not only to the speed limit but to the road conditions, its easy to say they were below the speed limit but 60 mph around a sharp bend in the road is suicidal, especially with a lack of experiance they dont know what to do if something goes wrong. Also older people should take note whether it be a car, bike, lorry or whatever. SPEED KILLS the message could'nt be simpler
Posted by: DM, Westbury on 2:34pm Tue 20 May 08
Great idea this, hope they display wreckages like the above more often.
I saw a wrecked car once at a Police stand, the man who had died instantly was only around 20, his shoes were still in the foot well. It made me feel sick to my stomach. For anyone who gets done for careless driving I would hope that a haunting image like that would be enough to put them off speeding.
Great idea this, hope they display wreckages like the above more often.
I saw a wrecked car once at a Police stand, the man who had died instantly was only around 20, his shoes were still in the foot well. It made me feel sick to my stomach. For anyone who gets done for careless driving I would hope that a haunting image like that would be enough to put them off speeding.
Posted by: moonrakin_wurzel, Trowbridge on 3:39pm Tue 20 May 08
This speed kills stuff is getting tiresome - are all the people who fly in 600mph airplanes more likely to die? jeez, this is dumb.
Human mistakes account for the vast majority of road accidents.
Deal with the causes - train young drivers properly and punish them sensibly for transgressions (more skool).
There is no skid training in the test - that's dumb.
There is no high speed driving in the test - that's dumb
There is no probationary period with a mandatory re-test if any insurance related accident occurs - that's dumb
It wouldn't do any harm at all to start weeding out the impatient testosterone frazzled aggressive idjits and totally tired out commuters. There should be a mandatory custodial sentence for driving whilst disqualified.
If all traffic stopped there'd be no accidents - bring back the man with the red flag...
yeah right
This speed kills stuff is getting tiresome - are all the people who fly in 600mph airplanes more likely to die? jeez, this is dumb.
Human mistakes account for the vast majority of road accidents.
Deal with the causes - train young drivers properly and punish them sensibly for transgressions (more skool).
There is no skid training in the test - that's dumb.
There is no high speed driving in the test - that's dumb
There is no probationary period with a mandatory re-test if any insurance related accident occurs - that's dumb
It wouldn't do any harm at all to start weeding out the impatient testosterone frazzled aggressive idjits and totally tired out commuters. There should be a mandatory custodial sentence for driving whilst disqualified.
If all traffic stopped there'd be no accidents - bring back the man with the red flag...
yeah right
Posted by: Wiltshire Resident, Wiltshire on 5:43pm Tue 20 May 08
But isn't speeding a human mistake ?
I agree with the other stuff though, but on the flip side, if the Police go out trying to tackle this issue, they get accused of persecuting the innocent motorist. I can recount several accidents where mobiles were used, even more when alcohol was a factor and still more where inappropriate speed played a role, yet the Police go about their business of enforcing the Law and everyone moans. Sorry, but you can't have it both ways. If you want fewere deaths and serious injuries, let the Police do what they do and don't tell them to go out and catch proper criminals. To anyone who has lost a loved one, irresponsible drivers are just exactly that - proper criminals.
But isn't speeding a human mistake ?
I agree with the other stuff though, but on the flip side, if the Police go out trying to tackle this issue, they get accused of persecuting the innocent motorist. I can recount several accidents where mobiles were used, even more when alcohol was a factor and still more where inappropriate speed played a role, yet the Police go about their business of enforcing the Law and everyone moans. Sorry, but you can't have it both ways. If you want fewere deaths and serious injuries, let the Police do what they do and don't tell them to go out and catch proper criminals. To anyone who has lost a loved one, irresponsible drivers are just exactly that - proper criminals.
Posted by: moonrakin_wurzel, Trowbridge on 12:58pm Wed 21 May 08
I think it would be good for police standing in the community if there was a police sponsored safe driving course (skids and speed) particularly aimed young male drivers where they could learn to control their vehicles and get enlightened as to the effects of "making mistakes" when they are "going fast"
I'm sure the insurance companies could be sucked in to providing some sponsorship and possibly even some discounts....
The negative , hectoring finger wagging tone of most of the safety promotions isn't helpful in my opinion. Some engagement and practical training would, I believe find a more receptive audience and make a start bridging the widening gap between the police and the population.
I think it would be good for police standing in the community if there was a police sponsored safe driving course (skids and speed) particularly aimed young male drivers where they could learn to control their vehicles and get enlightened as to the effects of "making mistakes" when they are "going fast"
I'm sure the insurance companies could be sucked in to providing some sponsorship and possibly even some discounts....
The negative , hectoring finger wagging tone of most of the safety promotions isn't helpful in my opinion. Some engagement and practical training would, I believe find a more receptive audience and make a start bridging the widening gap between the police and the population.
Posted by: moonrakin_wurzel, Trowbridge on 1:01pm Wed 21 May 08
'elf n sayftee pen pushers might have kittens though
'elf n sayftee pen pushers might have kittens though
Posted by: GSXRRRSP, WESTBURY on 8:39pm Wed 21 May 08
[quote][bold]chris[/bold] wrote:
Lets hope that young drivers look at this and realise that they are not invincable and slow down, not only to the speed limit but to the road conditions, its easy to say they were below the speed limit but 60 mph around a sharp bend in the road is suicidal, especially with a lack of experiance they dont know what to do if something goes wrong. Also older people should take note whether it be a car, bike, lorry or whatever. SPEED KILLS the message could'nt be simpler[/quote] TRY DOPEY OAP DRIVERS ASWELL!!!!
chris wrote:
Lets hope that young drivers look at this and realise that they are not invincable and slow down, not only to the speed limit but to the road conditions, its easy to say they were below the speed limit but 60 mph around a sharp bend in the road is suicidal, especially with a lack of experiance they dont know what to do if something goes wrong. Also older people should take note whether it be a car, bike, lorry or whatever. SPEED KILLS the message could'nt be simpler
TRY DOPEY OAP DRIVERS ASWELL!!!!
Posted by: GSXRRRSP, WESTBURY on 8:42pm Wed 21 May 08
[quote][bold]moonrakin_wurzel[/bold] wrote:
This speed kills stuff is getting tiresome - are all the people who fly in 600mph airplanes more likely to die? jeez, this is dumb. Human mistakes account for the vast majority of road accidents. Deal with the causes - train young drivers properly and punish them sensibly for transgressions (more skool). There is no skid training in the test - that's dumb. There is no high speed driving in the test - that's dumb There is no probationary period with a mandatory re-test if any insurance related accident occurs - that's dumb It wouldn't do any harm at all to start weeding out the impatient testosterone frazzled aggressive idjits and totally tired out commuters. There should be a mandatory custodial sentence for driving whilst disqualified. If all traffic stopped there'd be no accidents - bring back the man with the red flag... yeah right [/quote] IT'S NOT JUST YOUNG DRIVERS THE OAPS ARE JUST AS DANGEROUS AS THE YOUNGSTERS AND SHOULD BE RETESTED EVERY YEAR ONCE THEY REACH 65....
moonrakin_wurzel wrote:
This speed kills stuff is getting tiresome - are all the people who fly in 600mph airplanes more likely to die? jeez, this is dumb. Human mistakes account for the vast majority of road accidents. Deal with the causes - train young drivers properly and punish them sensibly for transgressions (more skool). There is no skid training in the test - that's dumb. There is no high speed driving in the test - that's dumb There is no probationary period with a mandatory re-test if any insurance related accident occurs - that's dumb It wouldn't do any harm at all to start weeding out the impatient testosterone frazzled aggressive idjits and totally tired out commuters. There should be a mandatory custodial sentence for driving whilst disqualified. If all traffic stopped there'd be no accidents - bring back the man with the red flag... yeah right
IT'S NOT JUST YOUNG DRIVERS THE OAPS ARE JUST AS DANGEROUS AS THE YOUNGSTERS AND SHOULD BE RETESTED EVERY YEAR ONCE THEY REACH 65....
Posted by: GSXRRRSP, WESTBURY on 8:44pm Wed 21 May 08
[quote][bold]moonrakin_wurzel[/bold] wrote:
I think it would be good for police standing in the community if there was a police sponsored safe driving course (skids and speed) particularly aimed young male drivers where they could learn to control their vehicles and get enlightened as to the effects of "making mistakes" when they are "going fast" I'm sure the insurance companies could be sucked in to providing some sponsorship and possibly even some discounts.... The negative , hectoring finger wagging tone of most of the safety promotions isn't helpful in my opinion. Some engagement and practical training would, I believe find a more receptive audience and make a start bridging the widening gap between the police and the population.[/quote] SAFE DRIVING COURSE FOR YOUNGSTERS HOW ABOUT THE OLD DUFFERS THEY ARE JUST AS LETHAL ON THE ROAD!!!
moonrakin_wurzel wrote:
I think it would be good for police standing in the community if there was a police sponsored safe driving course (skids and speed) particularly aimed young male drivers where they could learn to control their vehicles and get enlightened as to the effects of "making mistakes" when they are "going fast" I'm sure the insurance companies could be sucked in to providing some sponsorship and possibly even some discounts.... The negative , hectoring finger wagging tone of most of the safety promotions isn't helpful in my opinion. Some engagement and practical training would, I believe find a more receptive audience and make a start bridging the widening gap between the police and the population.
SAFE DRIVING COURSE FOR YOUNGSTERS HOW ABOUT THE OLD DUFFERS THEY ARE JUST AS LETHAL ON THE ROAD!!!
Posted by: trowbridge, Trowbridge on 10:15pm Wed 21 May 08
Speed kills. Luckily most people realise this, but there are always some who think they can drive as fast as they want - after all, accidents only happen to bad drivers, right?
Wrong. In an accident, increased speed will always make it worse. Nobody goes out intending to have an accident.
Speed kills. Luckily most people realise this, but there are always some who think they can drive as fast as they want - after all, accidents only happen to bad drivers, right?
Wrong. In an accident, increased speed will always make it worse. Nobody goes out intending to have an accident.
Posted by: j, trowbridge on 4:38pm Sun 25 May 08
i agree with GSXRRRSP about the old folks, how many old people crash into shops every year???
i agree with GSXRRRSP about the old folks, how many old people crash into shops every year???
Posted by: Alan, Warminster on 4:45pm Sun 25 May 08
[quote][bold]trowbridge[/bold] wrote:
Speed kills. Luckily most people realise this, but there are always some who think they can drive as fast as they want - after all, accidents only happen to bad drivers, right?
Wrong. In an accident, increased speed will always make it worse. Nobody goes out intending to have an accident.[/quote] [bold]WTF[/bold] :-0
When licensing to breed stupid people comes into effect the better..
trowbridge wrote:
Speed kills. Luckily most people realise this, but there are always some who think they can drive as fast as they want - after all, accidents only happen to bad drivers, right?
Wrong. In an accident, increased speed will always make it worse. Nobody goes out intending to have an accident.
WTF :-0
When licensing to breed stupid people comes into effect the better..
Posted by: moonrakin_wurzel, Trowbridge on 12:05am Mon 26 May 08
Last word on this - young drivers (sub 25)are , last time I looked, 20 times more likely to have accidents (and those accidents are several times more serious too...) - that's not inverse ageist prejudice them's the numbers from the insurance actuaries. Granted doddering old folk can be exasperating but in general they're less real trouble.
Another thing - while I'm at it - is the whole pedestrian thing - 85% of accidents between cars and pedestrians are attributed to the pedestrian.
Last word on this - young drivers (sub 25)are , last time I looked, 20 times more likely to have accidents (and those accidents are several times more serious too...) - that's not inverse ageist prejudice them's the numbers from the insurance actuaries. Granted doddering old folk can be exasperating but in general they're less real trouble.
Another thing - while I'm at it - is the whole pedestrian thing - 85% of accidents between cars and pedestrians are attributed to the pedestrian.
Posted by: Saimi, Warminster on 12:25pm Mon 26 May 08
[bold]Alan[/bold] wrote[quote]When licensing to breed stupid people comes into effect the better..[/quote] Look around you Alan . . . it's already been issued!
Alan wrote
When licensing to breed stupid people comes into effect the better..
Look around you Alan . . . it's already been issued!
Posted by: eh?, Wilts on 5:03pm Tue 27 May 08
[quote][bold]Wiltshire Resident[/bold] wrote:
But isn't speeding a human mistake ? I agree with the other stuff though, but on the flip side, if the Police go out trying to tackle this issue, they get accused of persecuting the innocent motorist. I can recount several accidents where mobiles were used, even more when alcohol was a factor and still more where inappropriate speed played a role, yet the Police go about their business of enforcing the Law and everyone moans. Sorry, but you can't have it both ways. If you want fewere deaths and serious injuries, let the Police do what they do and don't tell them to go out and catch proper criminals. To anyone who has lost a loved one, irresponsible drivers are just exactly that - proper criminals.[/quote] Mostly agree with this! People complaining that police/government/co
uncils don't do enough to lower the death toll on the roads, but complain and gripe persistantly that they're treated like criminals for minor indiscretions like:
- 70 round a sharp bend in an NSL road
- using their phone while driving
- having a couple of drinks and getting in the car.
Simple, the answer is "you are criminals at the end of the day". If little Timmy gets hit and dies, that 'minor indiscretion' becomes 'Cauing DEATH by dangerous driving' in a lot of cases. Surely prevention is better than cure, but people just call it stealth taxes etc.
Young drivers need to be taught how to drive, not how to pass a test! I lasted 6 days after passing mine before smashing up a car down to inexperience and impatience.
I've learnt from that and like to think I've improved.
Courses like 'Pass Plus' need to be made even better. IAM type courses should be promoted, and bigger punishments should be handed out for things like 'Driving without Due Care and Attention/Careless Driving' by the courts, to make examples of people.
The unenviable task of removing somebodys dead loved one from a car must be horrific.
Wiltshire Resident wrote:
But isn't speeding a human mistake ? I agree with the other stuff though, but on the flip side, if the Police go out trying to tackle this issue, they get accused of persecuting the innocent motorist. I can recount several accidents where mobiles were used, even more when alcohol was a factor and still more where inappropriate speed played a role, yet the Police go about their business of enforcing the Law and everyone moans. Sorry, but you can't have it both ways. If you want fewere deaths and serious injuries, let the Police do what they do and don't tell them to go out and catch proper criminals. To anyone who has lost a loved one, irresponsible drivers are just exactly that - proper criminals.
Mostly agree with this! People complaining that police/government/co
uncils don't do enough to lower the death toll on the roads, but complain and gripe persistantly that they're treated like criminals for minor indiscretions like:
- 70 round a sharp bend in an NSL road
- using their phone while driving
- having a couple of drinks and getting in the car.
Simple, the answer is "you are criminals at the end of the day". If little Timmy gets hit and dies, that 'minor indiscretion' becomes 'Cauing DEATH by dangerous driving' in a lot of cases. Surely prevention is better than cure, but people just call it stealth taxes etc.
Young drivers need to be taught how to drive, not how to pass a test! I lasted 6 days after passing mine before smashing up a car down to inexperience and impatience.
I've learnt from that and like to think I've improved.
Courses like 'Pass Plus' need to be made even better. IAM type courses should be promoted, and bigger punishments should be handed out for things like 'Driving without Due Care and Attention/Careless Driving' by the courts, to make examples of people.
The unenviable task of removing somebodys dead loved one from a car must be horrific.
Posted by: bigfootsson, Wilts on 1:44pm Wed 28 May 08
As a member of the emergency services who attends these all too often, i think that those who are oblivious as to just how dangerous a car can be, should spend a shift with us and attend a horrific RTC and do our job. I'm sure they'll soon change their opinion.
As a member of the emergency services who attends these all too often, i think that those who are oblivious as to just how dangerous a car can be, should spend a shift with us and attend a horrific RTC and do our job. I'm sure they'll soon change their opinion.
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