ALL South Yorkshire schools are being urged to show pupils a new film aimed at cutting road deaths and injuries, writes Claire Lewis.
The county’s Police and Crime Commissioner Shaun Wright called on head teachers to screen the film at their schools after watching Collision.
The film was commissioned by South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue in 2011 following the deaths of six youngsters in crashes on the county’s roads in the space of just weeks.
Commissioner Wright said: “As parents of two young lads, it really brings it home to me that you have to educate young people, because at the age of 16, 17 and 18, they start to make decisions that can be life-changing.
“Education is key, and if young people are aware of the risks, you can only hope they make the right choices.
“It’s fantastic work and I only hope every school in South Yorkshire takes up this offer and rolls it out through their personal social and health education programme.
“As Police and Crime Commissioner, I look forward to getting involved in more schemes like this. It’s about protecting young people, the public at large, and ensuring we can live in safe and secure communities.”
Coun Jim Andrews, chairman of South Yorkshire Fire Authority, said: “This project will save the lives of young people in South Yorkshire. This is a hard-hitting film that will show 15 to 17-year-olds how not to drive – driving that can kill people.
“My message to local schools is to have a look at this, grab it, and run with it.”
The film, shot in South Yorkshire and featuring local actors, is aimed at reducing the number of collisions involving young people.
The first fatal crash which led to the film being commissioned involved Jonathan Scott and Robert Tepper, both aged 17, and Lauren Birkett, 16, who died after the Vauxhall Corsa they were in hit a car on Adwick Road, Mexborough, in December 2010.
The next month Michael Gallagher, 16, Tom Hughes, 15, and Antonia Browne, 14, died after their car hit a tree in Conisbrough.
Comments