A CAMPAIGN has been launched that looks to remind motorists of their responsibilities when driving in Greater Manchester, writes Kent Lawlor.

The Limits Save Lives campaign is fronted by bereaved parents and emergency services staff and uses videos to show the true impact of car crashes.

On average, 681 people die or are seriously injured on Greater Manchester roads each year, with 67 people dying on the road last year, the highest figure in the past five years.

Dee and Dean Wilson, who lost their 21-year-old son Matt to a road traffic collision in 2011, are two faces the campaign.

Dee said: “Dee said: “You’ll never know what it is like to lose a child until you lose a child.

“When you turn that key, you are in charge of something capable of taking a life. Not only your own as the driver, but other people who may be walking or other drivers too.

“People say it is one of the worst things that can happen to a person so how awful would it be to know that you caused that kind of pain to somebody.

“You shouldn’t be texting on your phone or doing any of those silly things. Please take driving as a serious thing to do as the consequences are huge.”

Data has shown driving over the speed limit kills or seriously injures 21 per cent of people involved in crashes in Greater Manchester, while up to 40 per cent of car journeys exceed the speed limit.

The campaign, which is part of the “It’s Time” campaign and in partnership with Safer Roads, has shared a video which reconstructs a real collision.

In the video, a young man is seen speeding while on his mobile phone before crashing into and killing a young mother.

There are also four videos where each of the four people involved in the campaign give their stories on fatal road traffic collisions. Of all reported collisions in Greater Manchester, 58 per cent involve a driver aged between 17 and 35, while 80 per cent of all fatal collisions involve a male driver.

Research has shown that young men do not believe they are likely to face serious consequences for speeding and think the worst scenario is a speeding ticket.

This campaign aims to change behaviours in young men and show the true impact that can come from speeding and drink driving.

PC John Durham, Family Liaison Officer at Greater Manchester Police, said: “You never ever get used to the reaction of telling somebody that their loved one is dead.

“You do not want to be the subject of one of these stories.”

The number of car journeys being made in Greater Manchester is close to pre-pandemic levels with people returning to school and work.

32.8 million car journeys were made in the week ending September 5, close to the 34.8 million trips made before Match 2020.