The Police Service of Northern Ireland’s hard-hitting Roadsafe Roadshow travelled to Newcastle on Tuesday 10 March, where pupils from local schools heard first-hand accounts of the life-changing impact of fatal collisions.
As told by first responders and those who have been involved in serious life-altering crashes, the Roadshow depicts graphically how a night out can end in tragedy on the roads.
The story is told by a police officer, a paramedic, a fire officer, a man who was jailed following a fatal road traffic collision, and a woman who was left paralysed.
Their harrowing, personal first-hand accounts are interspersed with music, impactful video clips and hard-hitting road safety advertisements.
The Roadshow, which is supported by AXA, DfI and The Northern Ireland Road Safety Partnership, was hosted by Shimna Integrated College and also attended by students from Kilkeel High School and St Louis Grammar School.
District Commander for Newry, Mourne and Down Superintendent Lynne Corbett says delivering the Roadshow to an audience of new and future drivers is so important in ensuring our young people are educated and aware of their responsibilities as driver: “We felt it was important to bring the Roadsafe Roadshow to Newcastle after our local Neighbourhood Team identified some issues around anti-social and careless driving that were really impacting on the local community here and which could pose a real risk to the young people involved.
This year alone 17 people have lost their lives on Northern Ireland’s roads. These are more than statistics. These deaths are devastating losses for families, friends, entire communities.
We have no doubt that the Roadsafe Roadshow shocks young audiences but we believe that hearing real life stories of just what can happen on our roads - from those who have had to deal with the aftermath - has a real and lasting impact on those who attend.
Getting your licence as a young person is an exciting time. Driving offers a freedom to young people that they have never had before, but it is important that there is an understanding amongst young drivers and new drivers, that with this freedom comes huge responsibility. It can be tempting to get behind the wheel and show off for your friends, do manoeuvres you would never find on any driving test, and push the limits. What the roadshow makes clear is what can go so easily and so terribly wrong. It’s an honest and unfiltered portrayal of how dangerous, careless or reckless driving destroys lives.”
NIFRS Station Commander Mary-Kate McKevitt said: “Road traffic collisions can have devastating consequences, and as firefighters we see first-hand the impact they have on victims, families and our community. Roadshows like this are an important opportunity to speak directly to young people about the risks on our roads and encourage them to make safer choices. Even one decision, to slow down, avoid distractions or respect other road users, can help prevent a serious collision or save lives.”
John Amos from NIAS emphasised the importance of safety messaging for young drivers: “Too often ambulance crews, along with colleagues in NIFRS and PSNI, attend road traffic collisions where one of the Fatal Five has been a major cause of control of the car being lost. In recent weeks we have seen far too many incidents where young drivers have been involved, and with fatal consequences – friends have died. Scenes involving young people have a profound impact on our crews, who will often have children in and around the same age. It is profoundly sad particularly as it is also avoidable.
Being old enough to drive also means that you are old enough to accept the responsibility that comes with your licence. Please be aware of your own safety and that of your passengers and other road users. Neither forget about your family who would be expecting you home safe or sound. Slow down. Do not allow yourself to be distracted by actions of others in your car or by texting while driving, and never ever drink or take drugs while driving”
Superintendent Corbett added: “We want our young people, the next generation of drivers, to really think about what a tremendous privilege and responsibility driving is. We want them to think about their safety, that of their passengers and other road users. By adhering to the Fatal Five we hope that our young people can start out on what will, hopefully, be a long and safe motoring career.”
