A WEEKEND of carnage on Greater Manchester’s roads has prompted police to launch their None For The Road anti-drink and drug-driving campaign early.

Alarming statistics show road deaths and serious injuries across the city region have soared by nearly 100 in the year from July 2017 to June 2018.

In the same period for the prior year, the total figure was 728, but the latest figures stand at 824 – a rise of 13 per cent.

GMP convened a special press conference today (Monday) - which was also attended by Paul Etches, Head of Prevention and Protection at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Jon Strivens, an advanced paramedic from NWAS - following a weekend on which 17-year-old cyclist Trent Warburton was killed in Oldham. A 19-year-old man with him at the time is also critically ill in hospital.

A 27-year-old man was arrested nearby on suspicion of dangerous driving and drink driving and has been bailed pending further inquiries.

Elsewhere, an eight-year-old girl from Chesterfield in Derbyshire was killed in a collison with a car in Monton; a 21-year-old woman was killed and a man aged 48 was seriously hurt – both pedestrians – in a collision with a Peugeot 308 in Middleton.

A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and drink driving and he remains in custody for questioning.

Meanwhile, two children are critical in hospital following collisions in Heywood.

Chief Insp Gareth Parkin of GMP’s road policing unit said: “This has certainly been the busiest period I have known in my time with GMP.

“It’s difficult to say why this is the case, but we are appealing to members of the public to take their time when they are driving and to take into consideration the fact that the vehicle they are driving could potentially kill or seriously injure someone.

“If you are planning a journey, give yourself plenty of time. Many accidents occur when people are rushing to and from work.”

He continued: “My advice is – be late. It’s not an offence to be late. We would rather that than you killing yourself or someone else.”

Chief Insp Parkin vowed that road safety was “always going to be a priority” for GMP.

“That’s why we are launching our campaign None for the Road earlier. Christmas is starting earlier and earlier, with Christmas markets already open.

He added: “We know what impact drink and drugs have on impairing people’s ability to drive. Our message is quite clear – don’t take that chance. If you think you are over the limit – you are over the limit.

“We’d also urge people to keep an eye on colleagues relatives and friends, and advise them not to if they’ve had a drink and also to be mindful about the following morning and the impact a heavy night can have.

“If you are involved in an accident which results from drink driving, it can have life-changing consequences.”

Mr Etches revealed GMFRS had attended 23 road traffic collisions in the period from 5pm on Friday and 7am today (Monday) and both he and Mr Strivens said the emergency crews on the scenes of this weekend incidents had been emotionally effected by the tragedies.

Chief Insp Parkin reiterated an appeal for witnesses to come forward and for dash cam footage relating to the Oldham fatality and the other serious collisions which occurred across Greater Manchester at the weekend.

Anyone with information should call GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741. 

Alternatively reports or information can also be given anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.