TWO paramedics who have dealt with life and death on Wyre Forest's roads for more than 20 years, have two pieces of advice for drivers - cut your speed and concentrate when you are behind the wheel.

Kidderminster-based Adrian Ball and Dave Willetts, who have been called to countless fatal crashes in their ambulance service careers, were speaking ahead of this month's RoadPeace Service of Remembrance for Wyre Forest road victims.

Mr Willetts, who has 26 years' experience, said: "I know it has become a bit of a clich, but speed does kill. It's common sense really.

"If people drive too fast and don't give proper consideration to the road conditions, they don't have enough time to react when they have a problem. They need to concentrate all the time."

Prayers will be offered for Wyre Forest road victims whose names will be read out as part of the annual RoadPeace service at St Ambrose Church, Kidderminster, on Sunday, November 20.

The evening, which starts at 6.30pm, is open to all relatives and friends who have lost loved ones in road accidents. Joining them will be those touched by tragedies as part of their working lives, such as members of the ambulance, fire, police and hospital services, the media and clergy.

In his role as a fast-response vehicle driver, Mr Ball, is often the first medic to reach a crash scene.

The paramedic officer said: "We have an immediate task of trying to preserve life. A few seconds can be a matter of life and death when you are trying to assess someone's situation.

"Those who need our help are our main concern. Perhaps they are trapped or injured and, with some stabilising from us, can survive their trauma.

"Our job is done when we have got them to hospital and handed them over to someone else's care."

His experiences make him fully aware of the trauma that fatalities cause families, but points out that those in the emergency services can also be affected.

He said: "We focus on trying to save life and often are not aware of what else is happening at the crash scene. We have a job to do, but we are all human and it can be tough when we have to recognise that some people are beyond our help.

"The impact of fatal crashes often only hits us when we have finished our shift."

Mr Willetts added: "Incidents involving children are particularly harrowing. You can't help but relate to it when a child dies".

The ambulance community is close-knit and the older hands are there to lend a sympathetic ear to younger colleagues, in addition to the professional help provided by the service, he said.

He added: "To some extent our uniform and the fact we have a job to do act as a barrier to the emotional side. But a road death is bound to affect you and sometimes you do take it home with you.

"It is like being on hold until you stand down from your shift and then the mask comes off. That's when it hits you."

Both paramedics point out that modern road engineering, and vehicle safety features such as air bags and seat belts have helped save lives, but the survivors are the lucky ones.

They added: "People are surviving a lot more serious incidents thanks to these things. On occasions we have been amazed that people have walked away from the wreckage. It's incredible. But they often don't realise how lucky they are."

RoadPeace, the national charity for road victims, supports the bereaved and campaigns for safer driving.

Those unable to attend this month's service can complete the coupon below if they would like loved ones remembered in the prayers.

Please fill in this coupon and return to RoadPeace Service, c/o Clive Joyce, Shuttle/Times and News, Blackwell Street, Kidderminster DY10 2DY.

I would like.................................................................... who was a road accident victim on ..............................................................

to be remembered in prayers at the RoadPeace Service of Remembrance at St Ambrose Church, Kidderminster, on Sunday, November 20, 2006.

RoadPeace Service