Driving home the road risk message

From the archive, first published Wednesday 15th Mar 2006.

A HARD-HITTING road safety campaign is targetting Pembrokeshire's youngest drivers.

Graphic crash reconstructions and frank discussions are driving home the human stories behind the road statistics.

The new campaign, by Dyfed-Powys Police and Pembrokeshire County Council, started at Sir Thomas Picton School, Haverfordwest, where some pupils found it hard to take.

But Inspector Nigel Hayes, of Haverfordwest Road Traffic Division, makes no apologies.

"Last year, nearly half of those killed on our roads were aged under 25. In 2004, 80% were under 22," he said.

"Many of them were only teenagers."

He does not want to terrify young drivers, but says it is vital the message gets across effectively.

That message is about driving carefully and being a responsible passenger: Don't get into a car if the driver has been drinking or taking drugs; don't be afraid to ask them to slow down; wear your seatbelt - even if others don't.

Students at Pembrokeshire College receive this message through the Top Drive campaign, but Pembrokeshire is the first in Dyfed-Powys to take the campaign to every sixth form in their area.

Head of highways and construction Darren Thomas said this is an exciting development and hopes evaluation forms will help organisers learn how to reach this audience more effectively.

Sir Thomas Picton headteacher Dr George Davies said: "It is such a waste of young lives - this is something we need to offer."

Head of the lower sixth form Tracy Edwards believes the campaign is hitting exactly the right age group. "It has had a real impact," she said.

"So many pupils have cars and cannot wait to get behind the wheel."

Caption: Representatives from Pembrokeshire County Council and Dyfed-Powys Police join staff and pupils at Sir Thomas Picton School (from left) road traffic officer John Gobbi, PC Craig Morgan, Inspector Nigel Hayes, head of sixth form Tracy Edwards, headteacher Dr George Davies and head of highways and construction Darren Thomas. Front: Sixth formers James Arran, Katie Baillieux and Lauren Mortimer.

PICTURE: Western Telegraph (WTNO3661H06).

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