THE Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard have teamed up with Cambridgeshire County Council to give away 30 lifehammers as part of the Slow down don t drown on Fenland roads campaign. The first 30 people to visit our office in March asking for

THE Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard have teamed up with Cambridgeshire County Council to give away 30 lifehammers as part of the 'Slow down don't drown on Fenland roads' campaign.

The first 30 people to visit our office in March asking for a hammer will receive one as part of a �260 giveaway - funded by the county council.

Phil Rennie, road safety officer for Cambridgeshire County Council, said: "This lifehammer giveaway is part of a wider education campaign to reduce the number of casualties on Fenland roads.

"Our research has shown that many of the accidents have been a result of people driving inappropriately, which is why we want people to slow down and don't drown along these waterside roads and not have accidents in the first place.

"But we know that if the worse happens and people do end up in the water a lifehammer can be invaluable in getting them and their passengers out of their vehicle."

The bright orange hammers have been acquired from DIY supplier Screwfix Direct. They should be kept in an easy to reach place in the event of an accident.

Mr Rennie said: "Having a plan beforehand means that if you do end up in the water you will be less likely to panic and therefore more likely to successfully get out of your vehicle.

"It is also important that you strike the corner of the car window with the hammer as this is more likely to break it.

"But crucially it is important to make sure you drive to the conditions and not end up in an accident in the first place."

The campaign is being repeated after its success last year and will run for around six weeks. It offers road users practical advice on safer driving near water.

It continues the range of improvements made by the county council to reduce the number of serious and fatal accidents in Fenland - especially those on roads next to waterways.