11/2/2009 - Safety roadshows target young drivers

Young motorists are being urged to ‘Respect the Roads’ at two special events taking place in South Lakeland car parks next week.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service together with the local Crime and Disorder Partnership (CDRP) is taking its Road Awareness Programme – delivered to all schools and colleges in Cumbria – out of the classroom and into car parks used by young drivers.

For the first time a large video screen is being used to broadcast the graphic and thought provoking presentation about the consequences and causes of road traffic collisions.

Respect the Roads, which targets 17 to 24-year-olds – both car drivers and passengers as well as motorcyclists and cyclists – will be at Ambleside’s Low Fold Road car park next Thursday (February 19) between 7.30pm and 9.30pm and Kendal Leisure Centre car park from 7.30pm to 9.30pm next Friday (February 20). 

At both events firefighters will be on hand to discuss their personal experiences of attending road accidents as well as explaining the consequence and causes. They will also be carrying out demonstrations with the equipment used to cut casualties out of crashed vehicles.

Brian Steadman, station manager at Kendal fire station said: "This is a new and innovative method for delivering what is an extremely important message. It demonstrates the commitment of Cumbria Fire and Rescue personnel as well as our partners and shows how serious we are in trying to reduce the number of young people killed and seriously injured on our county’s roads"

ENDS

Media enquiries to media officer John Ballard on 01228 226330