SDMO campaign calls for help from hauliers
Vehicle recovery company director Paul Anstee has requested dialogue with the haulage and logistics sectors to encourage their endorsement of the Slow Down Move Over UK (SDMO) campaign, which aims to reduce accidents involving roadside workers and other road users.
The campaign was launched by Paul in June 2016, shortly after one of his own employees was struck whilst working roadside in the Chelmsford, Essex area.
“Following the incident, it became apparent to me that the rescue recovery industry was doing very little not only to raise awareness of the problem, but also in combating the issue and preventing further accidents,” said Paul.
“With the industry lacking any progress on this issue, we have sadly seen numerous cases of road users, including recovery technicians, being seriously injured or killed. In creating SDMO, I have taken inspiration from the USA, Canada and Australia where the initiative has existed for many years.”
The SDMO group comprises colleagues and friends from the recovery industry who have given up time to assist Paul, and has also been joined by Sam Cockerill, following the tragic loss of her partner Steve Godbold, who was hit whilst working between junction four and five of the M25 in September 2017.
The campaign has three primary aims: to help educate the public as regards what action is required if their vehicle breaks down or is involved in a road traffic collision to keep themselves and passengers safe; to spread awareness of potential temporary hazards on the road network; and to assist in the awareness and training of those working at the roadside, including encouraging incident reporting.
“Our vision for SDMO is to build a culture of awareness among all road users, to ensure that when they are presented with a temporary hazard on the road network they are able to take the appropriate action to avoid the danger – in essence, to ‘Slow Down or Move Over’,” said Paul.
“Temporary hazards can present themselves in various forms, including but not exclusive to broken down vehicles, passengers of those vehicles, roadside recovery vehicles or any roadside worker.
“In our four years we have created a website and also offered the opportunity for companies to invest in the campaign, either as a stakeholder or by buying products available on our online shop.
“We now have more than 40 stakeholders on board, primarily companies within the recovery industry, but also leading insurance and finance businesses who see the real benefit of the campaign.”
The group has also sent letters to relevant MPs suggesting the idea of educating road users through speed awareness courses, the Highway Code and driving lessons, but reports an underwhelming level of response to the idea.
“Despite this, we have been in contact with Highways England, who are now looking into the ways in which they can support the campaign,” said Paul.
He also warned about the potential risks posed by ‘smart motorways’ for those stranded or working at the roadside, “as many of these designs lack a hard shoulder”.
“Taking this into account, along with high road volumes and a reduction in police capacity, we believe that the threat posed by this issue is more prominent than ever and that SDMO is, therefore, more important than ever,” said Paul.
“Whilst we are extremely proud of how successful our campaign has been so far, we would now like to have dialogue with the transport industry in the hope of raising the issue within the haulage and logistics industry.
“By reaching out to the transport industry, we also hope to encourage relevant training bodies and companies to endorse SDMO in appropriate courses and perhaps to see the inclusion of SDMO on websites and vehicle livery, therefore promoting the campaign further.”
He continued: “It is a sad fact that a significant number of these unfortunate instances until now have involved HGVs, and we are therefore seeking support in combating the problem and reducing accidents and deaths.
“We encourage all involved in the transport industry to visit our website (below) – and also to make contact with us, in the hope that the industry as a whole can help and support this cause and, ultimately, work to reduce deaths on our roads.”
Paul also called on the industry to show support by displaying SDMO signs to help spread awareness.
