THE BENEFITS of belting up on the road can be experienced in a car crash simulator touring towns and villages next week.

As part of a week of community advice events in east Durham, a police seat belt ‘sled’ will be going, ‘on the road’.

The Durham force device gives people the chance to experience the impact of an accident driving at 5 miles per hour, and to think about the consequences of the same accident travelling at higher speeds.

Dave Nixon, Durham Police’s road casualty reduction officer, said: "The simulator gives people the chance to experience how an accident would feel at a low speed, and to realise how bad this would be if travelling at higher speeds without a seat belt."

Throughout the week residents are also being offered advice on staying safe and dealing with neighbourhood nuisances.

Representatives from Durham County Council, Durham and Darlington Fire Service, Neighbourhood Watch, East Durham Homes, Neighbourhood Watch, the drug advice and support service, ESMI, and the police will be visiting various venues.

The tour starts outside the Northern Electric store, in Yoden Way, Peterlee, on Monday, June 1, moving to Wheatley Hill Community Centre, in Stephens Terrace, Wheatley Hill, on Tuesday, the Blitz Bus, in Third Street, Horden, on Wednesday, and Wingate Community Centre, in Front Street West, Wingate, on Thursday, all from 10am - 4pm.

It ends the week at Blackhall Community Centre, in Hesleden Road, Blackhall, on Friday, between 10am and 3pm.