You have to live with the guilt for the rest of your life (From Warrington Guardian)

You have to live with the guilt for the rest of your life

FIREFIGHTERS have been called out to more than 80 road traffic collisions in Warrington already this year.

And 15 people have had to be rescued from vehicles with special cutting equipment.

As National Road Safety Week gets under way, motorists are being urged to drive carefully in the town.

Alex Waller, watch manager at Birchwood Fire Station, said: "Fortunately this year we have not attended any fatal road traffic collisions in the area.

"However, by this time last year, we had only attended one fatal incident, and by the end of 2003 this had risen to three.

"This time of year is always the most dangerous, and we urge people to take more care on the roads."

Speed is a major danger and Gov

ernment research reveals that two out of three accidents resulting in death or injury happen on roads where the speed limit is 40mph or less.

Sub officer Waller added: "Everybody makes a choice when driving, and if you choose to speed and you are caught then you are to blame.

"Likewise, if you kill somebody while speeding, you have to live with the guilt for the rest of your life and others have to live without a loved one for the rest of theirs.

"Think - and kill your speed."

Statistics also show that in around half of all adult road deaths in 2001, 40 per cent of pedestrians were over the drink drive limit, and that one in five road accidents on motorways and other 'monotonous roads' are caused by somebody falling asleep at the wheel.