The Argus has launched its summer campaign to save lives by keeping Sussex roads safe over the holidays.

We have teamed up with Sussex Police, car dealers Caffyns, Brighton and Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex councils to educate motorists, pedestrians and cyclists on safe travel.

The Summer Road Safety Campaign, now in its fifth year, is aimed at reminding motorists of their responsibility not to endanger lives by speeding, drink-driving or driving carelessly.

At the beginning of the school holidays, children play outside more, riding their bikes or crossing roads and the number of injuries and deaths on the roads increase.

The Argus, in conjunction with sponsors Caffyns, is featuring cartoons and features to increase driver road safety awareness and handing out pens, T-shirts and toy bugs during the next six weeks.

Dominique Langham, co-ordinator of the life-saving Argus campaign, said: "We want to stress the need for people to take more care on the roads and think before they act, kill their speed and make sure they know what is happening around them because at this time of year children will be around a lot more.

"As a community newspaper we want to work with the local community to do anything to help stop the risk of injury or even death."

PC Ian Bond, road casualty reduction officer, is spearheading the campaign on behalf of Sussex police.

He said there had been 46 deaths on the roads this year, compared to 56 last year, but the summer was notoriously a bad time for drink-driving.

He said: "People are driving far too fast where children are playing. The speed limit is 30 but it doesn't mean people have to drive at 30.

"Driving appropriately to the surrounding conditions is what makes a confident driver.

"We are asking people to think of other road users, not just car drivers and motorcyclists but pedal cyclists and pedestrians.

"It's a split second of unconsciousness or indecision which can actually change lives forever."

He stressed how 99 per cent of road crashes were preventable and in the majority there was always a degree of blame.

Brighton and Hove Council is playing its part by taking road safety workshops into schools and running cycling proficiency courses.

Barbara Deekes, road safety education officer, said: "We want to raise the awareness that there are vulnerable road users out there, elderly pensioners, children and cyclists who are more vulnerable than people in a car."

She said particular care needed to be taken in areas such as Brighton and Hove where pedestrians were invariably forced to cross between parked cars.

Anthony Caffyn, of Caffyns, welcomed his involvement with the summer campaign.

He said: "Without a doubt the car is getting safer with more airbags, side impact bars and crumple zones and anti-lock braking systems as the manufacturers put more safety systems into cars.

"So really, at the end of the day, it comes down to the driver of the car being sensible, not taking risks and complying with the speed limits."

He said new dangers included the use of mobile phones by motorists which distracted them from their surroundings, even when they were using a hands free kit.

The overriding message of this year's campaign is driver awareness. The Argus has adopted the Government slogan - Think Road Safety this year.