Crash scene reconstructed to shock students in Peterborough

Peterborough City Council’s road safety team - in partnership with Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service and the NHS ambulance service - presented a hard hitting road safety event to the city’s young drivers in late June.

A crash scene was reconstructed at a local school to deliver a poignant message to students. The students experienced first hand just how terrifying it is to be trapped in a crashed vehicle, as two volunteers - playing the role of boyfriend and girlfriend - were cut free from the vehicle while their peers looked on.

The initiative complimented the on-going ‘For my girlfriend’ campaign in the eastern region, which is aimed at young drivers - and in particular young men. The campaign sets out to remind this group of the potentially tragic consequences of driving too fast.

"Our research suggests that when dealing with this age group hard hitting direct messages have greater impact," said Beverly Jones the city council’s RSO. "The biggest fear among young drivers is not their own mortality but the fear of killing or maiming someone close to them - and then having to live with the consequences.

"Through events such as this we hope to change both the attitude and behaviour of young drivers - particularly young male drivers - who may see driving too fast as exciting and may also succumb to peer pressure."

Further information about this campaign can be obtained from David Frost
Peterborough City Council’s road safety team manager: david.frost@peterborough.gov.uk