THEY are four simple images but they could mean the difference between life and death.

Their messages may seem obvious – don’t drive after drinking or taking drugs, wear a seatbelt, don’t speed, and don’t use your phone at the wheel.

But year after year officers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are confronted with tragic scenes that could have been avoided if only those behind the wheel had not ignored these four simple rules.

So that is why Hampshire Constabulary is excited to be working in partnership with Project Pictogram, which was officially launched at the home of British motoring.

The new business-led approach to road safety hopes that the subtle and constant reminders of having these icons on the back of vehicles will help to make our roads safer and slash the number of fatalities and serious injuries suffered across the country.

For Hampshire Constabulary the focus is on the “fatal four” and road safety sergeant Rob Heard was at the launch, at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, explaining how important following these four simple rules is.

He said: “Last year, the joint operations unit for Hampshire and Thames Valley roads policing units commissioned a report by the Transport Research laboratory on how best we could reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads.

“The report showed that if we concentrated on seatbelt use, drink and drug driving, speeding and mobile-phone use offences then we would see significant reductions in casualties across our areas.

“Apart from carrying out targeted enforcement in these areas we are also working hard at educating and reminding people of the dangers involved in such behaviour.

“This education is often done by offenders attending referral courses as alternatives to prosecution, but we are also working at giving key road safety messages to continually remind people to drive safely and not take the risk.

“We are working in partnership with the Project Pictogram and feel that if the public and businesses get involved in promoting and supporting road safety, then this will help reminding people to drive safe and make our roads safer for all to use.

“Displaying the roundels on your vehicle works as a great nudge method to continually remind people to abide by the law and drive safe.”

Sgt Heard added: “I am passionate about road safety, and on speaking to many people I know the vast majority of us want to feel safe and drive safely. The consequences of any injury on the roads can be far reaching. A moment’s stupidity or inattention can change your life and others forever.

“I have attended far too many fatal and serious injury collisions in my career which could have easily been avoided.

“Turning up on the doorstep of someone’s loved one to break bad news and often change their lives forever is something that we all find very difficult.

“I am hoping that projects like this will help make people just think before they drive and act responsibly while driving. It’s not worth the risk.”

But as well as the emotional devastation caused by such collisions, the cost to the economy can be huge, with businesses losing thousands of pounds every time their vehicles are stuck in long delays.

In 2011, the government estimated that lost hours caused by motorway closures cost the economy more than £1bn, with the RAC estimating that having vehicles off the road can cost small businesses £500 per day.

The campaign, which encourages UK fleets and organisation to use the industry standard set of vehicle stickers, is business-led and supported by a number of road safety organisations, including the DfT Think!, Road Safety GB, RoSPA, IAM and the ABI.

The initiative has already been adopted by a wide range of regional and national organisations including Home Retail Group, Radian Housing, Lucketts Coaches, ACE Liftaway, Thruxton Motorsport Centre, Hampshire Fire and Rescue, and Eggar’s School.

The scheme now looks to attract other like-minded businesses interested in joining this positive movement toward creating better roads for all drivers. With artwork for a variety of sticker sets available free online, the initiative is accessible to fleets and organisations of all sizes.

Full more of Project Pictogram, visit hantsfire.gov.uk/project-pictogram.