'Make the Difference' is directed at a wide target audience and recognises that education of all road users, be they motorists, passengers, pedestrians,cyclists, LGV/PCV drivers or horse riders is fundamental to improving road safety.

It encourages change by inviting companies, key community agencies, groups associations and individuals to make a commitment to the core aims of the initiative and set their own objectives.

The aims of the strategy are:

To reduce road casualties
To raise awareness of the issues surrounding road safety
To develop partnerships between appropriate statutory authorities, the private sector and individuals encouraging them to adopt change in road user behaviour

You can 'Make the Difference' by pledging to take responsibility for your own actions and trying to be a more careful and considerate road user.

You can gain support from other road users in your community, in the workplace, through your hobbies or perhaps associations you are a member of. Everyone uses roads and everyone can 'Make the Difference'.

'Make the Difference' means we all have a part to play - including you.

Mailshots

MTD 8th Birthday - Don't leave road safety to chance

LANCASHIRE children are urging road users across the county not to leave road safety to chance.

Image of pupils from Preston English Martyr's Catholic Primary School with the 'Magic 8 Ball' Pupils and teachers at Preston's English Martyrs Catholic Primary School, in Preston, joined road safety officers to mark the eighth anniversary of the "Together We Can Make The Difference" (MTD) road safety campaign strategy.

The schoolchildren shook a retro-style "Magic 8-ball", a toy popular in the eighties, to remind people not to gamble on their safety. The Magic 8-ball, provides random answers to any questions it is asked.

The MTD road safety campaign strategy was developed by Lancashire County Council's Road Safety group in a bid to reduce the number of accidents each year on the county's roads.

Monica Holdsworth, class three teacher at the school, said:

"I asked the magic 8-ball 'Am I OK to drive if I'm tired' and the Magic 8-ball replied 'absolutely not.'

"I know I got the right advice from the Magic 8-ball this time round, but it's not worth leaving important decisions about road safety to chance."

The MTD strategy aims to reduce road casualties by giving people a focus to raise awareness of road safety issues at school, in their workplace and in their local communities.

Clare Farrer, Lancashire County Council's principal road safety adviser, said:

"We've used the magic 8-ball as a fun way to highlight the eighth birthday of the MTD strategy but there is a serious message behind it.

"We have seen a steady decrease in road casualties over the last few years, which would not have been possible without the support of people across the County.

"We're pleased to see a reduction in road casualties, but with around 70 people killed and around 6,000 injuries on Lancashire's roads each year, we are continuing to work to reduce these numbers.

"As well as schools, many companies and organisations have also signed up to MTD including BAE Systems, BNFL, Lancashire Fire and Rescue and North West Air Ambulance.

"As citizens of Lancashire we all have part to play to reduce road casualties and make the county's roads safer."

Don't let the 8-ball decide your fate, follow these 8 points to help you be a safer road user:

Drivers and riders - look out for each other
Don't drive tired
Always wear a seatbelt
Don't drink and drive
Never use a mobile phone while driving
Don't take drugs and drive
Always wear a cycle helmet
Always pay attention when crossing roads

For more information on the work of the Road Safety group and the Make the Difference road safety strategy call 0800 328 1635

Roadlife 2006

Image of Roadlife 2006 - Click to view pdf copy Roadlife 2006 is now available. The brand new edition is jam-packed with fantastic features and all the latest road safety news in Lancashire.

Catch up with Corrie’s crimper, Maria – Samia Smith – as she talks exclusively to roadlife about being a young driver. Jim Bowen talks speed and Eastenders’ Dot highlights the problems many older drivers face.

Sporting fans can read all about Commonwealth cyclist Emma Davies Jones’ near-miss with tragedy and football fans can see how PNE and Burnley F.C. players have supported road safety over the last season. Check out the football competitions on-line to be in with a chance of winning signed shirts from Claude Davis and John McGreal .

Taking over the centre pages this edition is a new Fun Zone section for kids. There’s also the chance to win a brand new bike and safety helmet, courtesy of TravelWise.

Send in your views on the magazine using the form at the back of the magazine and you could get your hands on a hi-tech digital camera.

Roadlife will soon be widely available from County Libraries, County Information Centres, GP surgeries, Leisure Centres, Car and Motorcycle dealers and other outlets.

select this link to read a copy online or email us to request your free copy.

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