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The family of a pregnant mum-of-two who died after being killed in a crash caused by a dangerous driver has joined a new campaign to reduce road deaths. Frankie Hough, 38, from Chadderton, died after 22-year-old Adil Iqbal, from Accrington, crashed into the back of her car on the M66 in Bury on Saturday, May 13 last year. Ms Hough had pulled over on the motorway following a flat tyre, before Iqbal, who had reached speeds of 120mph and filmed himself swerving from side to side weaving in and out of traffic, crashed into the barrier and careered into the Ms Hough's car.
Frankie and unborn daughter Neeve, who she was expecting with her partner Calvin Buckley, died. Iqbal was sentenced to 12 years in prison, which was later extended to 15 years. Yesterday, Thursday, at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service's (GMFRS) Bury Safety Centre, Calvin and Frankie's dad Frank Hough joined public services leaders to launch the Vision Zero project.
The project aims to eliminate road death and life-changing injuries by 2040, with a target to achieve a 50 per cent reduction by 2030. Frank and Calvin set up Frankie and Neeve’s Road Safety Academy last year after they both experienced the grief and loss of Frankie’s death, and their mission is to “change attitudes of current unsafe motorists and to instil a more respectful and safe approach towards road safety in the drivers of the future”. The academy will deliver road safety education to children at school.
Calvin said: “Myself and Frank have suffered severe trauma and loss through the acts of someone driving erratically. The impact of that day still lives with us now. “That was 18 months ago.
“This morning (Thursday), I realised that I had to drive across the M66 to get here. "I always used to set my satnav to avoid that motorway but today I chose to drive across there and I think that was partly for me to help me move on.” As part of the academy, Frankie's eldest son Tommy has created a group of characters called the "Road Safety Squad" and her nephew Tobias, along with his year 1 classmates, have created a road safety robot named Roadbot.
A sign for the academy (Image: Newsquest) The ethos of the academy is to use the characters to educate and empower children to recognise and challenge unsafe driving practices. And they will deliver road safety education using interactive experiences including virtual reality, computer games, animation and physical play activities. GMFRS chief fire officer Dave Russel, deputy mayor of Greater Manchester Kate Green and active travel commissioner for Greater Manchester, Dame Sarah Storey, were present at the launch event.
Ambassadors for the Vision Zero project (Image: Newsquest) The Vision Zero project has been launched (Image: Newsquest) Read more: Greater Manchester bus and tram disruption due to strikes Read more: Holcombe Brook Sports and Tennis Club to create padel courts Read more: Suspected burglary strikes on Sunnywood Close, Tottington Mr Russel said: “In 2023, 45 people lost their lives and 754 were seriously injured on the roads of Greater Manchester. “This devastated families and the devastation to families and friends is immense and indeed to the wider communities. “I’m sure we all accept our collective responsibility to ensure that our roads are safe for all users, whether they are pedestrians, cyclists or motorists.
” He added that the fire service is committed to improving road safety in helping to change attitudes to influence behaviour and working with young people and young drivers..
