Saving lives is MORE important than saving money

THERE has been campaigns and calls for the Highways Agency to have the street lights switched back on East Lancashire's motorway. 

Since turning the lights off between midnight and 5am, in a bid to save them £10,000 a year, but also to reduce their carbon footprint of around 350 tonnes per year.

Sure, it's all with intent of the Agency to save money and help the environment. But - this is a big BUT -  on what does this mean for the motorist?

There has been a heated debate over the issue of road safety.

There has been fatalities on the M65 in recent times between junctions 7 and 10. The local media (e.g. The Lancashire Telegraph) and MPs alike, have all been quick to point out that these accidents could have happened because of the lack of lighting. That's because the accidents happened late at night or in the early hours of the next morning. No wonder there has been campaigns for the Highways Agency to put the lights back on.

However, the Highways Agency should not just be held accountable for these deaths on the M65. Anyone who drives on the motorway through junctions without street lighting at night, should always take extra care. Not only because of the speed they're driving at, but because it's very important to see where you're going as well. Common sense really.

Still, if the Highways Agency want to remove the street lighting, or turn it off on a particular part of the M65 overnight. How about installing brighter and better cats eyes? This could aid drivers on seeing markings on the tarmac. Might be a small change, but this could make a difference - better still - save more lives.

Re-iterating the point on blaming the Highways Agency. It's not just them who have their bit to do to make the M65 safer. We, the motorist, also have our bit to do as well. It's simple, we take the responsibility to drive safely with extra care.