DYFED-POWYS Police traffic officers will now carry medical kits as they are so often the first to arrive at serious crashes.
The force said the kits, which are described as the best to deal with the type of bleeding they encounter at road traffic accidents, as well as knife and glass wounds, will improve the chance of survival for those injured in a serious crash.
The kits are the same as those carried by ambulance crews and Sergeant Owen Dillon, of Brecon Roads Policing Unit, worked with the Welsh Ambulance Service to trial the kit, which he has called "simple to use, but effective".
The Brecon-based officer said: “We work really hard to reduce the number of collisions on the roads, but unfortunately they do still happen, and people can become seriously injured.
“It only takes a few minutes for someone to bleed to death, so it’s vital that police officers – who are often first at scene – can deal quickly with any bleeding while waiting for paramedics.”
The equipment has been bought with funding of around £1,000 from the Police and Crime Commissioner. Traffic officers in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys will keep the equipment in their patrol cars.
Police and Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llywelyn, said: “Keeping people safe is a top priority for me and this investment will equip officers with the best medical kit possible to deal with immediate life threatening injuries. I am committed to ensuring Dyfed-Powys plays an active role in keeping road users safe.”
Police officers are already trained to use tourniquets and bandages, and the Roads Policing Units that work as part of Operation Darwen – the force’s campaign to reduce casualties on the roads – are being given the additional training they need to use this equipment.
Figures show that in 2018, 67 motorcyclists were either killed or seriously injured on roads in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys, and men were eight times more likely to be affected than women.
Carl Powell, clinical support officer for the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “It is vital that roads policing officers, who are often the first on scene and confronted with serious and life threatening injuries, are supported in preserving life with equipment that is effective in dealing with major bleeding.
“The trauma packs are a proven lifesaving asset and need minimal educational input to be used.”
As part of the Op Darwen, the force is urging motorcyclists to ride safely, and reminding drivers to be vigilant to motorbikes and other powered two-wheelers.
The campaign will run until October, the period which statistics say the roads are busiest. Roads Policing Units are working across the Dyfed-Powys Police area using a combination of education, engagement and enforcement, to reduce the number of casualties on the roads.