A series of roadside safety events targeting motorists who ignore the dangers of the "Fatal Four" launched at The Ridge community fire station in Hastings on Monday 2nd March.

• The "Fatal Four"

• Speeding
• Not Wearing a Seatbelt
• Using a Mobile Phone
• Driving Under the Influence of Drink or Drugs

The events were a partnership between The Ridge community fire station in Hastings, Sussex Police and the Healthier Hastings Partnership - Accident Prevention Group. The events also supported the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership's (SSRP) new 'Safety Belt' campaign, which continues to run throughout Sussex in March. Each event ran for two hours and a staggering total of 99 vehicles were stopped and given important safety information.

Pete Higgins, Borough Commander for Hastings, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, said:

"We are committed to reducing road casualties and deaths caused by road crashes. Unfortunately, our firefighters attend and have to deal with the victims of road traffic collisions every day. The 'Fatal Four' are major factors in the causes of these crashes."

Barbara Pratt of the Hastings & Rother Primary Care Trust said,

"We are pleased to support these events and, together with our partners, we are committed to reducing the number of accidents that ruin lives and also to reducing unnecessary admissions to hospital."

Motorists who were caught speeding, not wearing a seat belt or using a handheld mobile phone were given the choice to either accept a fixed penalty notice or to receive a safety talk from firefighters highlighting the serious dangers of the 'Fatal Four'.

Neil Hopkins, SSRP Communications Manager, commented:

"Wearing a safety belt in a car has been enshrined in law for over 25 years, yet people continue to flout the regulations. Whether you're the driver or a passenger in the front or back, you are obligated by law to wear your safety belt on every single journey - you could face a Fixed Penalty Notice from Sussex Police if you don't."

Neil continues, "If you witness any such incidents of anti-social driving or riding, please contact Sussex Police's Operation Crackdown hotline on 01243 642222 or visit www.operationcrackdown.org."

The final roadside safety event in this series took place on Tuesday 10th March.