STUDENTS LEARN THE DANGERS OF DRIVING AT SAFE EVENT AT STEPHENSON COLLEGE
Tuesday 15 November at 11:00 hours
Stephenson College, Coalville
On Tuesday 15 November, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service will be at Stephenson College in Coalville holding the multi-agency SAFE Event – organised on behalf of the Safer North West Leicestershire Partnership. This is taking place to showcase their exciting road safety initiatives, aimed specifically at young drivers, as well as inform the students about the dangers they may face.
This media opportunity aims to raise awareness about the road safety statistics which demonstrate young people are the most likely group of drivers to be involved in a fatal road traffic collision, and hopefully encourage young drivers to pay more attention whilst driving.
The statistics from 2015 for young drivers aged 16 – 24 in road traffic collisions in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland show:
Injury Type |
2015 |
|
Killed or Seriously Injured |
108 |
|
Slight Injury |
719 |
Total |
827 |
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service aims to reduce this number, and seriousness of road traffic collisions, by going into schools, academies, colleges etc, delivering initiatives that will encourage young drivers to be safer. The SAFE Event at Stephenson College takes place each year and is organised by ourselves in partnership with the college and other agencies. On the day, as well as ourselves, there will be a number of our partner agencies present and these include:
- Coalville Local Policing Unit
- Tyre Safe
- Turning Point (drug & alcohol awareness)
- North West Leicestershire District Council
- Prison Service
- Cycle Hub
- Leicester Magistrates
- Speed Camera Team
Students will be able to try out our latest initiative, the VF4 360 virtual reality experience, as well as see our FireBike, have a go on the batak machine, listen to a road safety talk, watch a live RTC extrication demonstration and more.
A number of other organisations will also be on hand to provide important information to help keep them safe, as well as information on what could happen if they were found to have committed a crime. Students will also be given an insight into the criminal justice system through participation from local magistrates, and they will also experience what it is like to be in prison.
Andrew Brodie, Assistant Chief Fire and Rescue Officer said: “We are delighted to be able to continue to develop our important collaborative prevention work by addressing road safety for young drivers. We hope it all makes a big impact and reduces the number of road traffic collisions and fatalities on the roads. ”
We are looking to both local and national media to raise the profile of this event and would welcome your attendance. If you could confirm you attendance so we can inform the college, it’ll be highly appreciated.
If you are travelling to the event by car, parking on site may be available but, will be limited. If the car park is full please park on the road.
Where to find Stephenson College:
Thornborough Road, Coalville, Leicestershire, LE67 3TN
ENDS
Notes to editors
Officers may be available on the day for media work through prior arrangement. Photo opportunities will also be available throughout the event. If you are unable to attend photos of the event may be available on request.
About the Service
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service provides emergency response, prevention and protection services from 20 stations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Its headquarters is based in Birstall, Leicester.
The Service’s prevention, education, enforcement and inspection programmes have resulted in significant reductions in the number of incidents. In the last five years, fire related incidents have reduced by 32.6 percent.
During 2014/15, the Service attended 619 road traffic collisions, of which 155 were extrications freeing 194 people trapped inside their vehicles and completed 4316 home fire safety checks, fitting almost 4339 smoke alarms. Staff organised or supported almost 1590 events aimed at promoting fire and road safety and arson prevention, whilst also visiting 314 schools to deliver fire and road safety education to pupils.
Contact:
Dominic Halliday
Communications and Digital Media Administrator
0116 229 2178
dominic.halliday@lfrs.org
