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Harsh lesson in road safety

Mock crash gives young drivers harsh lesson in road safety

Young drivers from the Hunstanton, Heacham and Dersingham areas were last night given a sobering insight into the consequences of dangerous driving by those who have to pick up the pieces.

The Hunstanton Young Driver's Experience featured hard-hitting testimonials from emergency service workers and from the families of those whose loved ones have been killed on the roads, as well as the chance to take part in a real-life scenario.

Organised jointly by Hunstanton and Burnham Safer Neighbourhood Team, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service and the East of England Ambulance NHS Trust, the evening held at Hunstanton Fire Station, aimed to give a group of young men whose driving has already brought them to police attention a lesson in road safety that they wouldn't forget.

Statiscally, young men aged between 17 and 24 are more likely to be injured or killed on Norfolk's Roads.

During an initial presentation, the young drivers learned about the theory and potential risks of bad practices including not wearing a seat belt, using a mobile phone whilst driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding and driving with a car full of passengers.

Sgt Andy Crown, from the Dersingham and Gayton Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "Driving is not a right, it is a privilege, and the presentation allowed emergency services to draw attention to the risks that some young drivers locally are putting themselves at, as well as their passengers, other road users and their families. The intention was to open their eyes to reality in a safe and controlled environment rather than letting them find out the hard way."

Following the presentation, two candidates were whisked away to take part in a mock collision attended by all emergency services. The young drivers were each 'passengers' in a crashed vehicle and got to see, feel and hear the experience of being cut out of a car at the roadside.

The remaining young drivers were given a bird's eye view and commentary from paramedics, fire and road policing officers. They watched the 'drink driver' being question, arrested and then taken into custody at the scene.

Local retailers provided refreshments for the evening and all the young drivers were given the opportunity to chat further to emergency service workers about what they had learned and seen. 

Michael Whitby, local risk manager for Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The event offered young drivers the chance to take part in a virtual experience of a life time, one that hopefully they will never have to experience for real.

"By hosting these events, we hope to help reduce the number of young drivers killed or seriously injured on Norfolk roads every year."

Members of the ambulance service showed how they have to work closely with firefighters at a scene to carefully and safely remove casualties from a vehicle.

Paul Chittock, from the East of England Ambulance Service, said: "It important that young drivers understand that there are serious consequences to irresponsible driving. From a medical point of view this includes life changing injuries, such as head and spinal injuries, and all the associated problems that these cause such as memory loss, personality changes, partial or total paralysis plus may others.
"Working together, we can offer young people a good appreciation from all aspects of a crash and how it affects their personal, social life, family and friends for the rest of their lives."

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