Safe Drive Stay Alive message comes to Swindon

Some 2,500 Year 11 students from across the Swindon area will experience a hard-hitting road safety presentation over the coming few weeks.

Safe Drive, Stay Alive uses powerful personal testimony and dramatic video footage to make the audience aware of the tragedy and suffering caused by road traffic collisions.

Students from Braden Forest, St Joseph’s, Ridgeway, Wootton Bassett, Commonwealth, Nova Hreod, Crowdy’s Hill, Greendown, Malmesbury, Warneford and Kingsdown Schools, together with a group from Swindon College, will see the roadshow between 29 September and 8 October.

Safe Drive Stay Alive is led and primarily co-ordinated by Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service, and is well supported by other major partners, including Wiltshire Police, Great Western Ambulance Service, Wiltshire County Council, Swindon Borough Council, Roadpeace and road safety charity Brake.

Since its launch in 2006, the roadshow has been seen by thousands of students – and the organising team is hoping that it will soon be essential viewing for every school in Swindon and Wiltshire.

Ian Hopkins, Road Safety Manager at Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service, explained: “Safe Drive, Stay Alive is successful because it’s real, it’s delivered by real people with real stories to tell and no actors are used. It’s a highly emotional experience – both for the audience and for those who courageously revisit and honestly share the most devastating aspect of their personal lives. We know that it makes a difference, which is why we want every student to see it. I am very grateful to those schools in Swindon that are supporting us this year, and I hope we can convince those not taking part to change their minds for 2009.”

Comments received by students who saw the roadshow in 2007 included: “Very good presentation, really made me think”; “I’m speechless, it has made me re-think”; “Really thought-provoking and really made an impact on me”; and “Effective, should definitely become compulsory, nobody could watch that and then not think about driving safely or irresponsibly.”

ENDS

Note to editors: The Safe Drive, Stay Alive roadshow uses a video reconstruction of a road traffic collision with on-stage testimonies from serving members of all three emergency services, parents of young people who have lost their lives, and those left disabled by the actions of young drivers. Those attending are left very aware of their personal vulnerability and accountability as new drivers.

Interviews with people involved in the presentations can be arranged on request. You are also welcome to attend one of the presentations – please contact us for more information:

Louise Knox
Media and communications manager
Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service
Tel. 01380 731126 / 07841 951111

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