THE horrific consequences of dangerous driving brought a hard-hitting campaign to an end.

Firefighters cut crash “victims” out of a car as part of a scheme to hit home the dangers of bad driving.

It was carried out to mark the end of The Race With No Winners campaign, which was launched earlier this year after two serious Bolton crashes.

The scheme, co-ordinated by Bolton Council of Mosques, the police, fire service and Bolton Council, is believed to be the first of its kind in the country.

The aim was to raise awareness of the consequences of anti-social driving and racing, mainly in people aged between 17 and 25.

It followed a incident in St Helens Road, Daubhill, on July 21 last year where a 12-year-old boy and a 50-year-old man suffered serious injuries after two racing cars crashed. Eleven people were also injured.

Another crash in Blackburn Road, Astley Bridge, in October last year, which also left people injured, increased the need for awareness to be raised.

In the run-up to the event at Bolton Central Fire Station in Moor Lane, Bolton, firefighters have demonstrated how they rescue people from crashes, used a simulator to see how a mobile phone and alcohol impacts driving and provided education about the penalties people face by taking risks behind the wheel.

Students posed as victims and had to be cut out of a vehicle which had “crashed”.

Insp Paul Rowe, from the serious collision investigation unit, said: “Everyone I have spoken to about the events has had a really positive attitude. I haven’t met anybody who has said they didn’t need to be taught anything.

“We hope the demonstrations have been hard hitting. Everyone says: ‘It won’t happen to me’, but it does sometimes.

“People have to come to see the reality of it. If we just stop one person injuring someone else, it has been worth it.”

Jim Battle, deputy police and crime commissioner for Greater Manchester, said the work in Bolton is leading the way for Greater Manchester and other areas to change the behaviour and attitude of irresponsible drivers. Ian Bailey, the Bolton fire service commander, added: “This initiative has been a good example of empowering the local community to deal with an issue that is affecting them.”

He said dealing with incidents, such as the crash in St Helens Road, “stick in the mind” of firefighters.