Hard Hitting Road Safety Message for Lisburn and Castlereagh Teenagers
February 25, 2016
In an effort to get young road users to take more care and responsibility on the roads, Lisburn & Castlereagh Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) have played a key role in delivering the hard-hitting Police Road Safety Roadshow to 800 young people from schools across Lisburn and Castlereagh.
Students from St Patrick`s Academy, Dundonald High, Breda Academy, SERC, Beechlawn School, Forthill College and Wallace High on Wednesday attended the show on 24 February 2016 at Lagan Valley Island.
Recognising that road-users under 25 years of age are most at risk of killing or seriously injuring themselves or others on our roads, the award winning 'It Could be You' Roadshow, which is sponsored by AXA Insurance aims to positively influence those drivers who are about to start out on what will hopefully be a long and safe motoring career.
Road traffic collisions, particularly those resulting in death and injury, have been one of the main concerns continually identified in the consultations undertaken by Lisburn & Castlereagh PCSP.
Chairman of Lisburn & Castlereagh PCSP, Councillor Scott Carson commented, “Death and injury due to road traffic collisions, particularly to children and young people, is of great concern to us all. Government agencies, local authorities, the police service and road engineers all have a role to play in providing training, education and raising awareness of the risks to people using our roads. The challenge facing us all is to reduce road traffic collisions and the risk of injury. I was encouraged that 800 young people had the opportunity to watch this show in Lisburn and would urge everyone to take care whilst using our roads.”
The story is told by a police officer, a paramedic, a fire officer, an Accident and Emergency consultant, a representative of a victim support group and the real life story of a young woman, who was paralysed following a horrific collision. The narrative is interspersed with music, video clips and television and cinema advertisements.
Constable John Wilson of the Road Policing Unit explained, “This show gives us an incredible opportunity to deliver a challenging message which graphically illustrates the dangers young motorists can face, how quickly things can go wrong and how lives can be shattered.”
“One of the hardest parts of any police officer`s role is breaking the news of the death or life changing injury of a loved one to relatives. It is especially heart-breaking when it involved a young person. Most road traffic collisions can be avoided and I hope that the hard hitting messages help young people to realise the consequences of their actions. I hope they leave the show realising that they are not indestructible, that they are as vulnerable on the roads as the next person and that they must respect the roads and all road users.”
Donna McCabe, AXA Direct Lisburn said, "AXA are Northern Ireland's largest motor insurer, and are proud sponsors of the PSNI Roadsafe Roadshows since 2001. We fully support the work the PSNI are doing to educate young people before they're ready to drive on our roads.
“AXA staff come into contact with the aftermath of road traffic collisions on a daily basis and see first-hand the tragedy that ensues. We are delighted to provide ongoing funding for the Roadshow and given the trend so far this year in Northern Ireland, it is more important than ever that the safe driving messages communicated in the show are seen by as many young drivers as possible.”