Those who lost their lives or have been injured in a road’s accident will be remembered throughout August for National Road Victims Month. The UK-wide campaign aims to raise awareness around safer driving and educate the public on the possible and permanent consequences of dangerous driving.

In the past 12 months, 20 people have been killed and a further 1061 were injured on Cumbrian roads due to dangerous driving. The biggest causes of these accidents were drivers failing to look properly, being careless or in a hurry and failed to judge another drivers path/speed.

The aim of these campaigns is to prevent dangerous driving and educate all drivers living and passing through Cumbria how to be a safer driver and the possible consequences faced if caught breaking the law.

Peter McCall, Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Anti-social driving is one of the most common complaints raised to me by Cumbrian residents – it blights the lives of residents and more importantly is inconsiderate and dangerous.

“Too many people across the county lose their lives to the fatal four: drink and drugs; speeding; not wearing a seatbelt; and mobile phone use.  The police will and do take these very seriously.

“When someone drives dangerously, whether it be under the influence or not giving the road their full attention, they not only put their own lives at risk but other innocent road users as well.

“I’m sure we all want to see a reduction in road incidents and especially fatal accidents throughout Cumbria, this is why we have police out on the streets in marked and unmarked vehicles, checking speed and dealing with reckless driving.

“We all have a responsibility to drive safely on our roads.

“The message is clear: for your own safety and that of other road users, please drive safely or face the consequences of your actions.”

Inspector Steve Vickers, from the mobile support group, said: “Unfortunately too many are killed or seriously injured on our roads with the fatal four playing a factor.

“Throughout the year we run campaigns to educate the public on those factors. Driving under the influence of drink or drugs, speeding, seatbelts, Using a mobile phone whilst driving  as well as enforcing other behaviour that places their lives and the lives of others at risk.

“These collisions change lives forever, impacting families, friends and the community.

“We all have a responsibility to respect the road and other road users, not doing so can have fatal consequences that you will have to live with for the rest of your life.

“Put your seatbelt on, slow down, drive to the conditions, book a taxi or get the bus, put your phone away, all these actions could save someone’s life.”