Look at me, stick to 20

Bernadette Livey, who was run over in Chadderton in 2008

A WOMAN left with more than a dozen broken bones after colliding with a car is backing a campaign for lower speeds on the road.

Bernadette Tivey, now 22, is urging drivers to drop down to 20mph, after she was struck crossing Broadway, Chadderton, in 2008.

The impact, which left her unconscious for several days, broke her spine, pelvis, shoulder, collarbone, both hips and several ribs, a leg, ankles, wrists, knees and arms.

She also suffered internal bleeding in her liver and kidneys and extensive bruising to the right side of her body.

Since the incident, four years ago, she has been through 12 operations.

One of her legs is still broken.

She said: “The crash has not just affected me, it has affected my family and friends and I am very lucky to have the support they have given me over the past four years.

“Being knocked down was a horrendous and frightening experience, and worse still are the years of hospital visits, operations and rehabilitation that have followed, which have had a massive impact on my life.”

The Chadderton resident went on to reveal that she has no memory of what happened when she was hit on the 40mph road.

No action was taken against the driver of the car, but the former sandwich shop worker has been left needing a wheelchair, crutches or a zimmer frame to get around. She is still pursuing an insurance claim over the incident.

“It’s scary not remembering,” she continued.

“But at the same time, if I could remember it, I probably wouldn’t be as strong as I am now.

“But I’m determined to get the message out.”

Now she is urging local drivers to slow down to 20mph, as part of North West campaign, “GO 20”.

The campaign is being run by charity, Brake, to coincide with Road Safety Week, which began today.
For the full story buy the Chronicle or the echron and iChron digital versions.