Road safety message delivered to young rugby players

Date: 2/12/2010

Young rugby players in Essex and Hertfordshire have been taught about the importance of road safety, following an initiative launched by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the Essex County Fire & Rescue Service.

While playing some ten-a-side games at Braintree RFC, eight teams of youngsters from local sixth forms also received lectures from the mobile road safety unit that the county fire service shares with police, ambulance services and other organisations in the Essex Casualty Reduction Board.

Along with 20 girls from Davenant Foundation School and Colchester Sixth Form College, the youths watched video presentations from Officer Pauline Holden and Sub-Officers Mark Elsey and Mick Baker.

The discussions centered on safer driving, using a seatbelt while in vehicles and the illegality of using a mobile phone or drinking alcohol behind the wheel.

"Road traffic accidents are the highest cause of premature death in the 17 to 25 age group," said Ms Holden.

Meanwhile, a number of awareness-raising activities are being organised by emergency services that are lending their support to Road Safety Week, which is held by charity Brake.

Posted by Sarah Bailey