Lightbowne Road to slow down for Mia tomorrow

A slow drive of Lightbowne Road in Moston is taking place tomorrow in memory of Mia Strothers. 

The 14-year old was killed in a hit-and-run as she made her way to school early last month (5th October).

The whole community and beyond has rallied around the family who are now campaigning for traffic calming measures on the road as well as better crossings and lighting. 

Lee Jowett is a local driving instructor and founder member of a local association of instructors. 

Tomorrow (5th November), they'll be driving down the road at 14mph in support of the Slow Down for Mia Campaign with permission from GMP and GMC. The usual speed limit is 30mph.

Lee said he sees bad driving on this road time and time again:

"It's a bit of a hot spot really. It almost feels inevitable at times that something tragic could happen at any point.

"We generally see excessive speed and what you might consider as aggression or excitement, sometimes speeds in excess of 50 or 60 miles per hour. 

"Everyone has their own agenda when they get in a car and drive it, you just wonder what that might lead to further down the road.

"It's very difficult to stop a car that's travelling 30mph in short notice. Cars just don't stop immediately and if you're going beyond that it becomes extremely difficult. Then you've got to factor in weather conditions, road surface. It's about driving more to the conditions of the road rather than the speed limit."

The instructors felt very strongly about supporting the campaign because they see dangerous driving so often there. Lee said it really touched and affected him because he has a daughter a similar age to Mia. 

He added that the man aim to to raise awareness and hopes it'll make drivers pause to think. 

"We hope that we can raise enough awareness to make people just consider their actions and the potential consequences. 

"We kind of feel when we get in a car that it won't happen to us. No one ever gets in a car and think, 'I could run someone over today'. We all have our own agendas.

"We all drive in accordance to the way we feel at any given time but what we really need to do is give consideration to what could possibly be the effects of the way we're driving."

The slow drive will take place between 2pm-2.30pm and around 20 to 30 driving school cars will be taking part.

You can join the Facebook group to show support of the campaign or donate to the family's Go Fund Me. Local residents have also started a petition calling for a crossing at the Nuthurst Road junction.

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