MAWWFRS cannot emphasize enough the importance of safe driving

On Friday afternoon (29/01/2016) at 1pm crews from Neath and Pontardawe attended a road traffic collision on Penywern Road, Brynoch. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The incident involved 2 private motor vehicles, which saw 1 casualty medically trapped. The Fire Service was involved in casualty care and applying a KED device (Kendrick Extrication Device). The casualty was conveyed to hospital via ambulance. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

As a result of the bad weather that we are experiencing the Fire Service cannot emphasize enough the importance of remaining vigilant, careful and patient on the roads. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Karen Jones, Head of Community Safety said: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“During 2015 we attended 1065 Road Traffic Collisions across the Service” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Driving during poor wintry conditions requires a different approach and by making some simple changes to driving habits, drivers can reduce their chances of being involved in a collision” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

She added, “At this time of year, driving conditions can be treacherous. I urge motorists to be prepared to drive with care and adjust their driving to suit the conditions” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Please bear in mind the following points when driving this winter: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• Check forecasts and traffic news, both local and national
• Check your tyres regularly for winter driving conditions we recommend a minimum depth of 3mm.
• Keep your windscreen clear and regularly top up your washer bottle with screen wash, keep windows and mirrors thoroughly demisted and clear of ice and snow.
• Get your car ready for winter and treat it to a winter service. Breakdowns are more common at this time of year
• Inform someone of your intended route and time of arrival
• Keep your distance. Stopping distances are ten times longer in ice and snow
• Drive gently in icy conditions. Avoid harsh braking and acceleration or sharp steering and most importantly remember to reduce your speed.
• Put together a winter emergency kit containing the following essential items: ice-scraper and de-icer, a high-visibility vest, warning triangle, mobile phone for use only when parked, torch, snacks, bottled water, blanket, warm clothes, boots and a first-aid kit. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

For more information on Winter Road Safety, please contact the Road Safety Team at RTC@mawwfire.gov.uk. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​