Tragedy-hit dad fronts safety bid (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Tragedy-hit dad fronts safety bid

4:28pm Wednesday 8th July 2009 in News

A dad whose teenage son died in a drink-drive accident is fronting a hard-hitting road safety campaign.

Tony Davison, of Otley, whose son Adrian was killed in a car crash six years ago, features in a safety campaign being run by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Adrian was 18 when he and his best friend, Nigel Rhodes, were both killed when their vehicle smashed into concrete railings on the A660 in Bramhope. Nigel, the driver, was over the drink-drive limit and had lost control of his car.

Since his son’s death, Mr Davison has committed himself to helping cut the number of deaths caused by drink-driving in the region.

The latest campaign is part of a bigger move by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to try to spare more families the tragedy of losing a loved one on the road.

As well as road safety, fire chiefs are focusing on fires related to cooking, alcohol and smoking, and child safety in and outside the home.

Posters and flyers will be distributed throughout the community, adverts will run on buses and commuters will be targeted via Bluetooth in West Yorkshire’s main bus stations.

Brian Robson, the service’s senior community safety officer, said: “During the summer people are more likely to socialise, whether it is at home or away from home, and alcohol plays a part.

“With family and friends around, as well as the children at home during the summer holidays, your attention can easily drift away from the cooking.

“We want everyone to enjoy the summer and we all hope for fantastic weather, but please remember that fire starts when your attention stops.”

To find out more about the campaign and get practical tips on how to stay safe, visit saferlife.co.uk.

Anyone can book a free home fire safety check, which involves the fitting of free smoke alarms, by calling freephone 0800 5874536.