Tuesday 26 May
09.00 hrs
Firefighters from Radstock and Bath are set to talk to young
drivers about road safety, thanks to a special roadshow.
The Avon Fire & Rescue Service RoadSkills presentation,
which aims to educate young people about the dangers of speeding,
drink driving and not wearing a seatbelt, will be shown to young
people who gather in the Tesco supermarket car park in Midsomer
Norton in the evenings.
The presentation will take place on Sunday 31 May from
21.00 hrs and will feature first hand accounts of road traffic
collisions, thought-provoking safety films and photographs taken at
the scene of incidents attended by AF&RS.
As well as a presentation there will also be a road traffic
collision demonstration, the chance to see some of the equipment
firefighters use to cut casualties from the wreckage of a road
traffic collision and the opportunity to talk to firefighters about
road safety.
Between January and May 2009 firefighters from Radstock and Bath
fire stations have responded to nine road traffic collisions in the
area. Sadly one of these involved five young people, one who
tragically died and four others who were badly hurt.
Radstock Fire Station Manager Martin Glanvil said: “The fire and
rescue service is well known for responding to road traffic
collisions, however we also try to identify ways to reduce
incidents. We are hoping that by targeting young people who may
have vehicles of their own we can give them advice on driving
safely and in turn see a reduction in the number of incidents we
attend.”
“The repercussions of a road traffic collision are far reaching
- from families and friends who have to cope with the death or
serious injury of a loved-one, to the emergency services who have
in many cases worked very hard to keep the casualty alive.”
With statistics showing that young drivers are more likely to
kill or injure themselves or their passengers in a road traffic
collision than any other group, the presentation is specifically
aimed at young people.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service has teamed up with supermarket
chain Tesco for this event. Tesco has kindly donated refreshments
for those attending the presentation.
Ends