Delivering Road Safety through Lancashire’s Fire Authority [16/01/2026]
By Cllr Jordan Fox: Great Harwood, Rishton and Clayton-le-Moors Division
Over the past few months, a large part of my work has focused on road safety and the role Lancashire’s Fire and Rescue Service plays in preventing serious harm before emergencies happen.
Many people understandably associate the Fire Service with responding to fires and major incidents. What is less well known is the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to reduce risk in the first place. As a County Councillor, I sit on the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority, which oversees the Fire and Rescue Service and sets its priorities. I also hold the role of Road Safety Champion, working to reduce serious collisions across the county.
Road traffic collisions remain one of the leading causes of serious injury and death, particularly among younger people. This places a heavy burden not only on families and communities, but also on emergency services and the NHS. Prevention is therefore essential.
One of the main areas of focus has been drink and drug driving among young people aged 15 to 25. Statistics consistently show that this age group is more likely to be involved in serious collisions, often because of inexperience combined with risk taking behaviour. Getting the message across early can make a real difference.
Recently, a series of road safety engagement events have been held at colleges across Lancashire. These sessions are designed to be practical and engaging rather than lecture based. I attended one such event at Blackburn College, where more than 500 students took part throughout the day.
Students moved around a range of short interactive activities, including using impairment goggles to experience how alcohol affects judgement and reaction time. There was also a live demonstration from a local fire crew showing the specialist equipment used at serious road collisions. The feedback from students was extremely positive, and many said it helped them better understand the real consequences of unsafe driving.
Another issue that continues to cause concern locally is the increasing use of illegal and unsafe e scooters and e bikes. Despite being widely sold, many people are still unaware that privately owned e scooters cannot be legally used on public roads, that insurance is required, and that these vehicles can pose serious risks to riders and pedestrians alike.
This has become one of my key priorities. To support Lancashire Constabulary’s Operation Centurion, I funded a leaflet campaign providing clear, factual information about the law and the risks involved. These leaflets have been distributed in schools, colleges and other settings to ensure young people and parents are properly informed.
Preventing serious road collisions is first and foremost about saving lives and reducing long term harm to individuals, families and communities. By stopping incidents before they happen, we can ease pressure on emergency services and the NHS and make better use of limited public resources. This emphasis on efficiency, evidence and practicality reflects the wider approach that Reform UK is taking in Lancashire.