Over recent weeks Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service have sadly witnessed several serious and fatal road traffic collisions on our rural roads.

The service would like to take this opportunity to remind all road users of the importance of following the fatal five message:

• Don’t Drink/Drug Drive - Don’t risk being one of the 100,000 drink or drug drivers caught each year. You could face a minimum 12 month ban, a large fine, a criminal record or even imprisonment.

• Kill Your Speed - You are twice as likely to kill someone you hit at 35mph than you are at 30mph. Just a 1mph cut in average speed can result in a 5% reduction in the chance of having a collision.

• Don’t Get Careless - A vehicle can become a lethal weapon when driven carelessly. Getting a fixed penalty for careless driving will result in a £100 fine and three points on your licence. Causing death by dangerous driving can mean a prison sentence of up to 14 years.

• Belt Up – You are twice as likely to die if you don’t belt up. Not wearing a seatbelt can be a fatal decision, even on short, familiar journeys and at low speed. As a driver, you are responsible for ensuring that passengers under the age of 14 are wearing a seatbelt (or using the correct child restraint for their height and age.) On the spot fines are £100, but if prosecuted, the maximum is £500.

• Switch It Off - You are four times more likely to crash if you use a mobile phone whilst driving, whatever you’re doing with it. The consequences for using your phone behind the wheel are a £200 fine and 6 points on your licence. And if you cause a death, you could face up to 14 years imprisonment.

Please refer to our website for more road safety information from the Fire Service and our partners in road safety. Furthermore, we welcome the public to contact us to discuss road safety on our roads - please email [email protected]