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Borough: All

Incident Date: 06 February 2012

CREWS dealt with several road traffic collisions over the weekend as a result of frosty weather and snow.

Cars skidded on the roads and overturned, and one hit a wall as most of the North West experienced snow and icy conditions.

Just before 3pm on Saturday, firefighters were called to Chew Moor Lane, Westhoughton, where a 46-year-old man was trapped inside a car following a two-vehicle collision. The man was extricated by the fire service and taken to hospital with back injuries while two other casualties suffered shock.

At 3.09pm, crews were called to Stamford Road, Mossley, where a car had hit a wall on the side of a house due to ice. One female driver managed to escape without any injuries.

Then at 4.28pm, firefighters were called to the M56 motorway between junctions six and seven where a car had overturned on the hard shoulder. A 26-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman were extricated from the car by firefighters and taken to hospital.

On Friday, crews were called to Moss Lane East, Moss Side, at 5.09pm, after a collision involving two cars. A 39-year-old man who was trapped inside one of the vehicles was freed by the fire service and taken to hospital suffering neck and spinal injuries.

GMFRS rescues more people each year from road traffic collisions than from fires, with a total of 255 between November 1, 2010 and February 28, 2011, when the country experienced wintry weather conditions on the roads.

Accidents can happen to anyone, but you can reduce your chances of a collision by following our simple advice;

Always stay below the speed limit and slow down in bad weather conditions
Drive more carefully in dangerous road conditions such as snow, heavy rain, ice or fog by slowing down, leaving room for the vehicle in front and switching on your headlights if necessary
Concentrate and drive considerately at all times
Always wear a seatbelt and make sure all your passengers do
Never use your mobile phone when driving - it can distract you and it's illegal
Never drive if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs - this includes the morning after
Keep your distance from the vehicle in front - at least a two second gap
Other road users will make mistakes so be prepared and expect to encounter different road users such as cyclists, heavy goods vehicles and motorcyclists
Keep your vehicle safe and road worthy at all times
Only get in your car if your journey is absolutely essential and be prepared for every eventuality.

Before each journey in severe weather clear any snow and ice from all windows, lights and number plates.

Make sure you can see clearly and be seen, and clear snow from the roof of the car.

Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged - but don't use it while driving.

Take some food and a warm drink in a flask in case you get stuck and don't forget to take any personal medication.

It's worth making these checks regularly - and particularly before a long winter journey:

Check and replace the anti-freeze in the radiator 
Make sure your lights are clean and check the bulbs  
Ensure your windscreen is clean 
Replace the battery if it's not reliable
Ensure your tyres are correctly inflated and replace them before the tread has reached the legal minimum
Put an emergency kit in the boot including: ice scraper and de-icer; torch and spare batteries; warm clothes and blankets for you and all passengers; first aid kit; jump leads; a shovel; road atlas; and sunglasses (the glare off snow can be dazzling).
For more advice and up to date travel information visit the Highways Agency Website:  http://www.highways.gov.uk/knowledge/333.aspx

For detailed information on local and national weather conditions, visit the Met Office website at www.metoffice.gov.uk or listen to local radio broadcasts

Last update: 06/02/2012 12:25:56