Poignant Last Steps exhibition highlights the issue of dangerous driving in Greater Manchester
- Raw display on Market Street highlights the issue of dangerous driving in Greater Manchester
- This years road safety week theme is ‘Let’s talk about speed’
- TfGM urge people to slow down and drive carefully
A pop-up exhibition has appeared on Market Street symbolizing the 25 lives lost due to dangerous driving on Greater Manchester’s roads last year .
TfGM have focused on the issue of speeding for this years road safety week. With their exhibition on Market street representing the lives lost to reckless driving.
The exhibition is made up of 25 pedestals with shoes resting on top, marked with the age and gender of those killed. The installation is a part of the ‘Last Steps’ campaign made by the Safer Roads Partners, Transport for Greater Manchester and local emergency and health services.
Heart-wrenching video is released as a part of the campaign
Alongside the exhibition, the campaign also released a testimony video where the family members tell their story, Paula Allen and Georgia Ford share their story for Last Steps, shedding a light on the importance of driving safe, especially during winter months.
Paula Allen, retold and shared images of her son’s Marcus’ trainers to show the impact reckless driving has on human life has said; “I hope everyone who has seen this exhibit, particularly drivers, will stop, reflect and share what they have learned with their friends and family.”
“Their deaths will have devastated their families, but the ripple effect of fatal road collisions extends beyond immediate family to friends and the wider community.”
“Behind each pair of shoes is a person who, like my son Marcus, had hopes and dreams”
-Paula Allen
‘Let’s talk about speed’
In her statement, Councillor Tracey Rawlins has said “Every time we drive faster than the speed limit, or too fast for the road conditions, we increase the risk of a crash – and we increase the chance that someone we love will be killed or hurt on a road”.
Highlighting the importance or raising awareness in different ways she said; “Each year Manchester City Council, in conjunction with our safety partners, hold events at school that are aimed at educating our young people around road safety”.
Events such as theater performances, school streets road closures, parking patrols and cycle sessions are being organised across schools in Manchester this week, “By educating children and all our residents on all aspects of road safety, we aim to teach them the best ways to stay safe while on their journeys, no matter how they choose to travel.”
Following the exhibition, TfGM urges people to drive safely in the dark by:
- Looking out carefully for pedestrians
- Being patient
- Watching your speed
- Staying alert
- Checking your vehicle