Wigan shoppers out and about before Christmas had a shock when a mock crash was staged in the town centre to highlight the dangers of drink driving and to launch the seasonal drink-drive campaign.
In 2011, 413 people were caught drinking and driving in Greater Manchester, and in an attempt to reduce that statistic during the festive season, students from Wigan and Leigh College in conjunction with Greater Manchester police organised a hard-hitting mock crash scene outside the town's Grand Arcade.
Operation Advent was organised in line with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service and Wigan Council's Road Safety Team and the event served to highlight the very real danagers caused by drink drivers.
The festive season may now be over, but drink driving is a year-round problem. If you intend to have a drink, it is sensible to make alternative arrangements to get home rather than to drive. Emphasis at the event was placed on the many calls to the emergency services in any event over Christmas and during the current new year period, and that when the emergency services are incredibly busy already during this period, drivers should consider that to get into a car to drive having had a drink or drugs, that it is simply not worth taking that risk.
By Rebecca Dawber
Comments