Reality of road dangers brought home to pupils

Date: 1/10/2010

Wiltshire firefighters have launched a campaign to educate youngsters about the importance of driving safely.

Pupils at Wootton Bassett School were shocked to hear real-life accounts of the tragic consequences of car accidents, the Swindon Advertiser reports.

The Wiltshire Fire Service's Stay Alive Roadshow is touring six schools in the region before travelling across the country to speak to some 8,000 students.

Ian Hopkins, Road Safety Manager at Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, said the initiative aims to show children what could go wrong, rather than preach to them.

He added the feedback so far has been positive and he believes the pupils go away with the right message.

Clare Brixey, whose son died at the age of 20 in a road accident, spoke at the event and stated road safety is one of the most important forms of education "because it can save lives".

Adrian Walsh, Director of RoadSafe, recently suggested youngsters should be taught how to manage risk at school in order to reduce the number of road casualties among young people.

Posted by Sarah Bailey