HAMPSHIRE and Thames Valley Police have sought to highlight the dangers of the risky driving behaviour associated with the ‘fatal four’ in an effort to reduce road deaths and injuries.

They want drivers to realise that their actions can have fatal consequences and that this is happening in real life not in the movies.

A movie-style film trailer has been released to highlight the fatal four - driving too fast, not wearing seatbelts, driving under the influence of drink or drugs, and using mobile phones while at the wheel.

It aims to encourage drivers to think about the impact of their actions.

The trailer can be viewed at youtu.be/XGTRAIxXGIY.

In 2016, the joint operations roads policing unit for Hampshire and Thames Valley commissioned a report to the Transport Research Laboratory on how best to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the UK’s roads in the long term.

The report found that more than 460 road users would avoid being either killed or seriously injured each year if drivers drove safely and significant reductions in casualties could be realised if risky driving offending behaviour involving the ‘fatal four’ was reduced.

The focus of the review was on the fatal four, which are factors that are known to contribute to the likelihood and severity of a significant number of collisions.

The Transport Research Laboratory estimated, based on the data and evidence, that in one year across the Thames Valley and Hampshire region, that:

* 66 fewer people could be killed or seriously injured if every car occupant wore a seatbelt or appropriate restraint;

* 160 fewer people could die or be seriously injured on the roads if drink-driving was eradicated; and

* If everyone using a hand-held phone stopped using a mobile phone while driving then an estimated 242 fewer people could die or be seriously injured.

Road safety sergeant Rob Heard said: “We run campaigns throughout the year to target poor driving behaviour as well as focusing on the fatal four. To assist in getting the message out there we have created short film to highlight the dangers involved and the devastating consequences it can have to all involved.

“Throughout the year we will, in association with this trailer, be releasing personal stories told by families affected by the tragedy of a fatal road traffic collision to share their account of the impact it has had on them losing a loved one.”

He continued: “We would like to thank everyone that has helped contribute toward this campaign and to give extra special thanks to the families who’ve shared their heartbreak and the devastating reality of the everyday impact these horrific road collisions cause.

“We can only make a difference on making our roads safer for everyone if we look out for each other, share the roads and focus as individuals on how we ourselves can drive and ride safer.”

And Sgt Heard added: “Sadly, many collisions are caused by those who are committing offences and this has a significant impact on the lives of individuals and families.

“Please drive safely and remember: It’s not worth the risk!”

Sgt Heard unveiled the #Fatal4 campaign to businesses, stakeholders and partners at the Blue Lamp Trust’s annual conference in Southampton last Thursday.

Jim Bettley, general manager for The Blue Lamp Trust, said: “As a leading road safety organisation the Blue Lamp Trust fully supports the police initiative in highlighting the fatal four and will include the material in all its future driver training.

“We need to show drivers the devastation caused by a fatal road crash and highlight how these four behaviours increase the risk of people being killed or maimed.”