Haulage firm takes Life is Precious campaign on the road

A road safety campaign highlighting the ‘Fatal Four' driving offences will be visible across the UK thanks to a Durham haulage firm.

Family-run Katem Logistics Ltd, based in Bowburn, Durham, has offered its full support to Durham Constabulary’s ‘Life is Precious' campaign to raise awareness of the deadly impact of using a handheld mobile phone while driving.

The firm teamed up with campaign founder Mari Johnson, whose parents Elaine Sullivan and David Daglish were tragically killed in 2021 when a HGV driver ploughed into their car on the A1(M).

The driver, who had been using his mobile phone repeatedly and right up until the collision, was unhurt and later sentenced to eight years and ten months in prison.

Mari Johnson said: "I am forever grateful of the work that the police are continuing to do and to the haulage company who are promoting this and saving lives.

"Losing my mam and dad was and still is devastating and I don't like talking about it but unfortunately I know I have to because people are still driving around using their phones and thinking it's ok.

"We need to make our roads safer and save lives so people don't have to get the awful news I did so I will continue to work with the police to get that message out there."

And on Friday (June 27), Ms Johnson was joined by Detective Constable Nat Horner, Inspector Michael Hogg, Katem owners Clare and John Davison, their daughter Emma Chaganis, son-in-law and Katem Deputy MD Matty Chaganis, granddaughter Olivia, Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen and MP Alan Strickland, to unveil a specially commissioned trailer wrap promoting the ‘Life is Precious' branding.

DC Horner, who has worked with Ms Johnson since the incident as her dedicated Family Liaison Officer, said: "Our Life is Precious campaign was created with Mari following the tragic loss of her mam and dad - deaths that were completely avoidable and caused by a HGV driver selfishly using his phone at the wheel.

"Ever since we have been working to educate HGV drivers specifically on the dangers of the Fatal 4 and we were really pleased when Katem got in touch to ask to work alongside us to help spread that message further.

"Katem's commitment to making their drivers - and by default other road users - as safe as they can be is really admirable and we want to thank them for helping us spread this message nationwide when other drivers across the country will hopefully see the HGV and take note of it's important message."

Mr Chaganis added: "This trailer will be seen on roads across the UK as part of our national operations, sending a powerful message to all road users about the importance of safe driving habits.

"Safety is a core pillar of our business and we are committed not only to the welfare of our own drivers but to promoting safety throughout the wider community.  It's in everyone's interest and I hope the image of this trailer stays with people for a long time."

PCC Allen, who holds the Roads Policing portfolio on behalf of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), has pledged her full backing to Mari's campaign.

She said: "Driving dangerously - whether though speeding, drink or drugs, using a mobile phone or some other means - claims lives, and irreparably ruins others.

"We can police our roads all day long, but regrettably this still won't stop every reckless driver from taking fatal risks - or indeed believing road safety laws don't apply to them. This is why awareness and education, alongside tougher punishment, is so important and why we must applaud the bravery of bereaved relatives like Mari who literally put their hearts on the line to stop other families going through the same trauma for the good of their communities.

"I cannot thank Katem enough for their wholehearted support for the ‘Life is Precious' campaign, and the robust action they are taking to ensure their own drivers and staff drive safely. Road Safety is a community-wide issue impacting all of us, and we must all play our part in the solution.

"If this campaign can save just one life by challenging drivers to alter their mindset when using our roads, then we will have succeeded. I hope other businesses and haulage firms across County Durham and Darlington - and drivers themselves - get behind our efforts to make dangerous driving practices both unthinkable and unforgiveable and contribute in whatever way they can to a safer future on our roads."