Tuesday 4 November
2008
12.30hrs
Firefighters will
discuss their real life experience of dealing with road accidents
this week as part of a new road safety campaign.
Avon Fire &
Rescue Service is piloting the presentation which centres around a
real Peugeot 206 damaged in a road traffic collision (RTC). Its car
radio broadcasts news reports about the statistics affecting young
drivers, while fire crews describe the often harrowing scenes they
are faced with on the roads.
The campaign is
aimed at engaging with all drivers, but in particular those aged
between 17 and 24 - the group most at risk from suffering serious
injury or death in car accidents.
This week
firefighters will be at AXA Sunlife’s offices, Stoke Gifford, where
a large proportion of staff fit the key target audience for this
life saving presentation. As well as talking about their
experiences, firefighters will give demonstrations of extrication
techniques they use on vehicle wreckage.
A set of ‘beer
goggles’ also features as part of the presentation to provide a
graphic representation of how drinking impairs judgment and ability
behind the wheel.
Avon Fire &
Rescue Service Community Safety Officer Stuart Matthews explained:
“We try to stay away from the ‘finger wagging’ approach, but
instead try to make young drivers understand what a frightening and
harrowing experience an RTC can be, not only for those unfortunate
enough to be involved in one, but also for the emergency services
who respond to them.”
“The
presentation gives young drivers an opportunity to question
firefighters about their experiences and hopefully go away with a
more considered approach to the way they drive.”
In the run up to
BRAKE! Road Safety Week (10 to 16 November) AF&RS will be
taking the new presentation to businesses and supermarkets in the
area.