Farnworth: Residents learn about road safety at fire station
The technology is one part of a commitment by the fire service to teach residents about the importance of road safety.
At Farnworth Fire Station last weekend, the day before the start of National Road Safety Week on Monday, visitors were treated to a VR experience, albeit one with a serious message.
The technology immerses users in the consequences of dangerous driving and in particular the so-called ‘Fatal Four’ – drink driving and drug driving, distraction, speed and seatbelts.
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Ben Norman, deputy chief fire officer, said: “The new VR equipment we’ve invested in is so impressive.
“It gives an immersive experience to someone about the consequences of dangerous driving.
“Today has been a fantastic event to engage local people in key safety messages and bring awareness of the true cost of dangerous driving in terms of the human cost and the cost to the public purse.”
In Greater Manchester, 504 people were killed or seriously injured on the roads in 2022, and all of the emergency services are appealing to the public to take more care on the roads.
Greater Manchester Police, St John Ambulance and National Highways supported the event on Albert Road, where other activities included demonstrations of CPR and cutting people from vehicles.
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Kate Green, deputy mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “Safety on our roads is a priority for our communities and I want them to be reassured road safety is a priority for all Greater Manchester’s partners. We’re working together to make Greater Manchester’s roads safer and reduce road deaths.
“Our commitment is shown in the fire service investing in equipment like VR sets and in police we’ve invested in 60 new officers in the roads policing unit to boost enforcement and engagement. Our new VR equipment is very impressive, this is going to be a vital tool in our prevention work.”
For information, go to manchesterfire.gov.uk/your-safety/road-safety/.
This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.
Source – INDIA TV
