West Sussex emergency services reach out to students on dangerous driving

Sixth-form pupils from Worthing College, Steyning Grammar, Shoreham Academy, Davison High and the Sir Robert Woodard Academy piled into the Pavilion Theatre in Worthing, where they watched a 90-minute production of fictitious film clips and real-life accounts from members of the emergency services and members of the public directly affected by an accident.

In the last year, 107 young people aged between 16 and 24 were killed or seriously injured on West Sussex roads, and a further 576 suffered slight injuries as a result of a car accident.

The production, organised by West Sussex Fire and Rescue in partnership with Sussex Police, South East Coast Ambulance Service and the NHS, was launched in 2006 as part of its ongoing work to promote safer driving habits to young people.

Chris Bowles, manager of the Stay Alive show from West Sussex Fire and Rescue, said: “Stay Alive tackles many of the common dangers for young people – bowing to peer pressure, drink driving, speeding, not wearing seat belts, the distraction of mobile phones – but it is delivered in an engaging way that the students can really relate to.”

For the full story and student reaction, see Thursday’s Herald (November 10).