A DRAMATIC display of mangled wreckage outside a Swindon fire station shows the deadly consequences of drink-driving.

Firefighters in Stratton St Margaret set up the scene, with fairy lights to draw attention, as a show of support for a Christmas road safety campaign.

The crash reconstruction can be seen near the fire station on Highworth Road and involves a wrecked car and motorbike provided by Grist Environmental.

A banner reading “Don’t get smashed – don’t drink and drive” emphasises the message to motorists.

While the main safety messages apply to everyone using the roads, the display focuses on motorcycles because bikers make up more than a quarter of all British road deaths.

Green Watch manager Mark Evans said the team’s previous displays had always been well received.

He added: “The fire station is right on the B4006, which is a busy thoroughfare with links to the A419, the M4 and bordering counties north of Wiltshire.

“As such, a lot of people go past every day, so we use the opportunity to raise awareness of the consequences of road traffic collisions during this festive season.

“December is a very busy month for many families, but we are asking drivers to take that valuable minute to reflect on whether they are safe to drive.

“Particular risk factors can be tiredness, still having alcohol in your system after drinking the night before, and your car not being winter-ready – for example, the tyres not being properly inflated, or windscreens and windows too dirty to see through clearly.”

Figures from the Motorcycle Industry Association show an increase of 148 per cent in the number of powered two-wheelers bought between May 2020 and May this year.

Purchases of electric two-wheelers saw an increase in sales of 340 per cent during the same period.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service runs Biker Down Wiltshire, which is a free course available to motorcyclists and motorcycle clubs in Wiltshire and Swindon.

A similar programme is available in the Dorset area, organised by the DocBike project.

A fire service spokesman added: “Whether you ride your motorbike with a group of friends or on your own, there may be a time when you are the first person at the scene of a fallen biker.

“Injured motorcyclists need to be dealt with in a specific manner as it can be easy to cause them further injury, particularly by removing a crash helmet unnecessarily, or in the wrong way.”

For more information about the course, visit www.dwfire.org.uk/biker-down

Meanwhile, purchases of electric two-wheelers saw an increase in sales of 340 per cent during the same period.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service runs Biker Down Wiltshire, which is a free course available to motorcyclists and motorcycle clubs in Wiltshire and Swindon.

A similar programme is available in the Dorset area, organised by the DocBike project.

A fire service spokesman added: "Whether you ride your motorbike with a group of friends or on your own, there may be a time when you are the first person at the scene of a fallen biker.

"Injured motorcyclists need to be dealt with in a specific manner as it can be easy to cause them further injury, particularly by removing a crash helmet unnecessarily, or in the wrong way."

For more information about the course, visit www.dwfire.org.uk/biker-down