Pupils' crash course on driving dangers

A CRASH scene was mocked up at a Derbyshire school as part of "shock and awe" tactics to cut the number of road deaths among young people.

Police, fire and ambulance personnel visited Kirk Hallam Community Technology College for the exercise, which included cutting a pupil free from a wrecked vehicle.

Nearly a fifth of the people killed or seriously injured on Derbyshire's roads last year were aged between 17 and 25.

And the aim of yesterday's event was to shock students into taking better care when they are able to get behind the wheel.

The teenagers were shown three crash scenarios, demonstrating the consequences of texting at the wheel, failing to wear a seatbelt and drink-driving.

They were also shown pictures of crash scenes and asked how they would feel if they killed a friend through irresponsible driving. During one playground demonstration, year 11 student Tom Taylor was cut free and "pronounced dead" in front of his classmates, because he had not been wearing a seatbelt.

Tom said the experience of playing dead had made him realise how horrifying it would be to be involved in a car crash.

He said: "It made me think that it only takes the slightest thing that can lead to your death. It's quite frightening to think about."

Matt Reavill, Station Commander at Ilkeston Fire Station, said he hoped the demonstration would lead to pupils taking more care on the roads.

He said: "By showing them something visual, we're hoping that the message will hit home. It's about shock and awe – they see it on the news and in the paper but this makes it more real to them."

Year nine teacher Andrea Bennett said the demonstrations had made the students take road safety seriously.

She said: "I think it's very effective, especially with having our own students in the wreckage.

"This is as close as you can get to the real thing and, hopefully, they'll go home and pass the message on to their older brothers, sisters and parents."

Collision investigator PC Richard Bell told students that 18% of new drivers are involved in a car crash within one year of passing their test.

He said there were many factors that led to young people being killed on the roads, including speeding, over confidence and inexperience.