Lamppost signs speed 999 response

The 999 react signs carry a six-figure reference number

Stickers on lampposts and satellite technology are combining to help emergency crews locate accident scenes more quickly in Wrexham.

The "999 react" signs carry numbers corresponding to the grid references of the street where they are pasted.

The scheme is being tried on 12 Wrexham roads with a high number of accidents, and crash witnesses are asked to give the numbers to 999 operators.

If successful it will be extended across the North Wales Police area.

It is the first time the assembly government-funded initiative has been used in Wales, and will run for 12 months.

All emergency services are backing the scheme, which they hope in particular will enable them to help casualties within the crucial "golden hour" after an accident.

999 operators also ask for information about the accident

Ian Laing of the Welsh Ambulance Service said: "Response to road casualties within the first golden hour is essential, so every minute counts."

Supt John Chapman said in one case it had cut the time to reach an accident by 17 minutes.

He said: "If this simple initiative saves one person's life than I think it's worth it."

Sheila Humphreys-Jones, Wrexham council's road safety officer said: "When members of the public report a road traffic collision or another emergency they can find it very difficult to pinpoint the location if they are not familiar with the area.

"With this scheme, we are hoping that by giving a simple six-figure reference number to the call taker we can locate them instantly."

As well as asking for the reference number, 999 operators will also ask callers if they know the number of casualties, and whether victims are trapped or unable to leave the vehicle.