Road safety message comes to Barnstaple

ROAD safety awareness was under the spotlight at a hard-hitting event hosted by the area s emergency services in Barnstaple last night (Wednesday). Police, fire and ambulance services joined motorists and car enthusiasts in the Queen Street car park for

ROAD safety awareness was under the spotlight at a hard-hitting event hosted by the area's emergency services in Barnstaple last night (Wednesday).

Police, fire and ambulance services joined motorists and car enthusiasts in the Queen Street car park for "MAX BARUM 999", an initiative designed to promote responsible use of the town's roads.

The education evening offered visitors various road safety reminders, driving instruction and safety advice.

Paramedics showed how their high level of training is deployed to deal with life-threatening injuries caused as a result of irresponsible and poor driving, while officers from Barnstaple Fire Station demonstrated how they free a casualty from a car following a collision using the latest cutting equipment.

Motorists were also able to receive a free driving assessment from traffic police.

"We had a superb turnout and a lot of very positive feedback from those attending," said Sergeant Paul Jones of the Barnstaple Neighbourhood Beat Team.

"The whole idea of the event is to promote the road safety message and discourage anti-social driving as part of county-wide Country Mile Project.

"We are committed to reducing road casualties within our area, and hope this will be the first of a series of similar events in the area.