Petition calls for extrication tools in vehicles

A petition is calling for all new vehicles to be fitted with a window breaker and seat belt cutter as a standard safety feature. The petition has been launched by Andy Spavins, whose family were recently involved in a collision which saw their vehicle enter a dyke, turn upside down, and fill with water.

Andy says it is only due to the help of onlookers that they were able to escape the vehicle and avoid potentially drowning. Since the collision, Andy and his wife Jo have launched a new petition – which also calls for motorists with older cars to be required to install this equipment in their vehicles.

The petition says a brightly coloured and easily accessible car window breaker and seat belt cutter could be used in any sort of emergency where conventional means of escape are hindered. It notes these could be placed above the driver’s side window for ease of access.

In June, it featured on BBC Radio 5 Live – as well as being covered by BBC Look North East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

The petition required 10,000 signatures to receive a Government response. At 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for a debate in parliament.