Pupils will have a chance to get up close to Malcolm Wilson’s M Sport rally car when CumbriaCounty Council's Fire and Rescue Service hold a Road Awareness Training day for year 10 students at Cockermouth School on 1 July.
The majority of road fatalities are 17-25 year olds and drivers are 7 times more likely to have an accident in the first 3 years of driving. The Fire and Rescue Service is determined to reduce fatalities on the roads and their Road Awareness Training aims to highlight the risks to young people.
The day will include talks by Fire Crews about their experiences on Cumbria’s roads, large photographs of accidents, powerpoint presentations, a video provided by Border TV, and workshop groups with pupils. The aim is to get students actively involved in assessing and discussing road safety.
The M Sport car will highlight the dangers of speeding by showing how much protection is afforded to rally drivers when compared to safety equipment in normal vehicles.
The event is part of an ongoing programme of Road Awareness days. They are a part of the Safer Roads for Cumbria inititative and are funded by Capita-Symonds and Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service. In the last twelve months the Fire Service has visited over 100 schools in the county meeting with more than 5000 pupils.
Bernard Dolan, Chief Fire Officer of Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, says:
"Young drivers are more at risk than anyone on the roads and it is crucial we do everything we can to cut down the number of accidents. Educating young people and ensuring they are fully aware of road safety issues, even before they ever get behind a wheel, is a very positive step towards reducing fatalities."
Councillor Geoff Hodgson, Cumbria County Council spokesman for the Fire and Rescue Service comments:
"Both the Fire and Rescue Service, and the County Council as a whole, are completely committed to making the county’s roads safer. This day is an excellent opportunity to make young people more aware of road safety in an interesting and relevant way."