Cumbrian highway workers praised for safety record
New safety procedures for road workers in Cumbria mean that there has not been a serious accident involving maintenance staff for almost two years.
In that time, more than 1,000,000 working hours have been logged on Cumbria's highways without incident, compared with eight deaths among maintenance staff nationwide.
Andy Burns is the general manager of Enterprisemouchel, who maintain roads in the county, and he is asking for drivers to give repair crews a safe environment to work in:
Full report: David Coulthard stars in road safety ad
Retired Formula One racing driver David Coulthard is fronting a new campaign aimed at reducing the number of deaths on country roads.
The sporting star - who is from Twynholm in Dumfries and Galloway - wants to show that even the most accomplished drivers can struggle in difficult rural conditions.
'We are still seeing too many fatalities' says Transport Minister
"Driving on country roads takes more than simply being aware of the basic Highway Code.
"Increased concentration and greater care is needed to adapt to the muddy tracks and changeable conditions, which make country roads particularly tricky."
– David Coulthard
"In Scotland we currently have the lowest road casualty figures since records began.
"Fatalities are down by 11% from 2010 and while even one death on our roads is one too many, there are encouraging signs of progress.
"It's clear that we are still seeing too many fatalities and serious injuries that are avoidable.
"We know that male drivers make up three-quarters of those killed on our roads and 70% of fatal accidents happen on country roads.
"I hope that David Coulthard, a Formula One legend, can help convince them to change their dangerous driving habits."
The former Formula One driver David Coulthard is starring in a new safety advert which aims to reduce the number of deaths on country roads.
Coulthard, who comes from the village of Twynholm in Dumfries and Galloway, said he is backing the campaign because he did much of his early driving on rural roads in the south-west Scotland.
In the TV advert, Coulthard demonstrates to motorists that even the best drivers adjust their speed on country roads.
