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Dying to Drive

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High school students from across Herefordshire were invited along to their local fire station last week to take part in a joint emergency services initiative aimed at reducing the number of young fatalities on the county’s roads.


The ‘Dying to Drive’ campaign, organised in partnership with the fire service, police, the ambulance service and the Youth Offending Team, aims to illustrate to teenagers the devastating effects of excess speed, driving under the influence of drink or drugs or showing off to friends when behind the wheel, as well as other distractions, such as using a mobile phone when driving.

Working together, the partner agencies set up a mock road traffic collision involving two cars, walking wounded, a trapped driver and a deceased passenger. Teams from each of the emergency services then worked alongside each other to make the scene safe, release the occupants of the vehicles and offer the medical assistance needed.

Year 10 students (aged 14 and 15) from John Masefield High School in Ledbury, Fairfield High School in Peterchurch, Wigmore High School in Wigmore, Queen Elizabeth High School in Bromyard, St. Mary's RC High School in Lugwardine, Weobley High School in Weobley and Lady Hawkins High School in Kington attended the ‘Dying to Drive’ sessions at the fire station throughout the week.

The demonstration was followed by a series of workshops where the safety message was reinforced and the teenagers were given advice on what action to take in an emergency.

Watch Manager Kevin Giles, based at Peterchurch Fire Station, explained: “The ‘Dying to Drive’ initiative uses shock tactics to show young people how speed and other factors can cause a major road traffic collision with fatal consequences.

“We know from the reactions of those attending that the message is hard-hitting and likely to be memorable. We sincerely hope that this is the closest any of these youngsters will come to an incident of this nature and that what they have seen will have a positive impact on their driving and who they get into a car with.”

He added that Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and their partner agencies found the ‘Dying to Drive’ event a useful training opportunity and were encouraged by the feedback and the questions the youngsters asked.

He ended: “We hope that those who attended the ‘Dying to Drive’ event will think twice after what they have seen and will recognise that it’s just not worth risking serious injury or worse just for a few moments of excitement. “