HEALTH, police and fire chiefs will join forces tomorrow to launch a hard-hitting road safety campaign.

Members of Lancashire's emergency services, including nurses, doctors, paramedics and police officers, will recount the trauma of dealing with serious traffic accidents on a daily basis.

The event at Royal Preston Hospital, which treats East Lancashire who patients suffering with head, spinal or brain injuries, was scheduled to coincide with World Health Day.

Last year, 91 people died on the county's roads and as a symbolic gesture a wreath in the shape of 91 will be laid for those killed or seriously injured.

In 2003 in Pennine Police Division, which covers Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, there were 861 road crashes, causing 11 deaths, while in the Eastern Division, covering Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Blackburn and Darwen, there were 915 accidents and 13 deaths.

The campaign message is to highlight the emotional and physical costs for those involved in a crashes - from the victim to paramedics, nurses, and police and fire officers.

It carries the question: 'What cost a road accident? The flowers at your funeral!'

Steve Watt, director of accident and emergency operations for Lancashire Ambulance NHS Trust, said: "Many drivers take risks or drive too quickly, thinking all they risk is a fine and points on their license. But the real costs can be so much higher.

"As all of our Ambulance staff know, lives can be destroyed in a split second - they witness tragedies on a regular basis. A small lapse in a driver's concentration can cause death or serious injury.

"Deaths are more widely reported but serious injuries can lead to a life of misery. Even minor injuries can lead to loss of livelihood, lengthy rehabilitation and emotional damage.

"Question yourself, is it really worth taking that chance, running that red light or speeding on that stretch of open road?

"You may get away with it but someone else may not be that lucky?"