Fire crews will perform crash rescue demos at packed family day in Northamptonshire

The Open Roads event, on Saturday, April 2 (10am-3pm) will involve more than 30 activities, stands and demonstrations, including examples of what takes place during police pursuits, a display of modified vehicles and supercars, and an array of motorbikes on show.

Firefighters will also be running simulated rescue demonstrations involving each of the emergency services, which will involve volunteers being cut from ‘crashed’ cars.

Other attractions will include:

- skid training for young drivers in Renault cars,

- Lotus and Discovery driving simulators

- a lorry-driving demonstration in which blind spot dangers will be highlighted

- the chance to see the police helicopter up close.

- plenty of entertainment for children such as a bouncy castle, face painting and the chance to climb onto a real fire engine.

Gemma Rutland of the joint Safer Roads Team said: ““There will be plenty of activities at this event to appeal to drivers, bikers, cyclists and non-drivers, ranging from watching emergency services during a staged road collision rescue, to learning how to control a car in different weather conditions. There will be a huge amount for everyone to learn and enjoy.”

Mrs Rutland said the day was not just about a family day out, there were vital safety messages to help prevent casualties on Northamptonshire’s roads.

-During 2015, 32 people died in collisions on Northamptonshire’s roads.

-Between January 2012 and December 2014, there were 863 injury collisions involving young car drivers (aged 17-25).

-Between January 2012 and December 2014, there were 452 collisions involving injury, in which motorcyclists were involved. A total of 467 motorcyclists were injured during this period.

Check the police and fire service Facebook pages and look for #openroads2016 on Twitter for updates on the Open Roads event.