Young people are too often the victims of accidents - a scene from an earlier publicity campaign

Crash Course shock could help save lives

I've been banging the road safety drum again this week, and I'm so impressed by a campaign aimed at youngsters that I'm determined to see it rolled out nationwide.

I have visited Rising Brook High School along with the Mike Poulter, the Chairman of Staffordshire Police Authority.

We were there to look at Crash Course - a really hard hitting road safety campaign that's a joint venture between the county council, Police, Fire Service and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

I joined about 50 students as they took part in the hard-hitting campaign. It doesn't pull any punches and it is highly thought provoking.

That's the way it needs to be as road traffic accidents are still the biggest cause of death among 16 to 25 year-olds in this country. I make no apologies for again stating that in 30 years in the Fire Servide I witnessed far too many road accidents which claimed the lives of young people. Each is a tragedy.

Mike and I were so impressed that we are now going to urge Staffordshire MPs to promote Crash Course in Westminster with the hope it can form the basis of a national campaign.

It vividly portrays the effects of accidents on victims, family and friends and on the lives of convicted drivers. The two-hour presentation aims to challenge young people's attitudes to driving and  drive-home their responsibilities when they sit behind the wheel.

Some of the youngsters at Rising Brook were in tears. Better tears as a result of taking part in Crash Course than tears as the result of the death of a friend or family member.

Page Last Modified: 19/07/2007 13:07:36

Back to top