'Dead cool?' shocks youngsters in Bexley

In September over 150 Bexley youngsters learnt hard-hitting lessons about road safety when they witnessed the staging of a fatal road crash in Perry Street, Crayford (top pic).

'Dead Cool?' was part of the Bexley Road Safety Action Group's (BRAG) ‘If Only…’ campaign, which is designed to encourage young car passengers to overcome embarrassment and feelings of peer pressure and to speak up to make the driver slow down.

Students looked on as police vehicles attended the scene, firefighters battled against time to rescue passengers from the car's wreckage and ambulance crews fought to save life – but sadly it was too late for one passenger.

"Sitting in the wrecked car sent a shiver down my spine," says Craig Neil (15), who played the part of the trapped driver. "It was a good experience, a scary experience, but definitely not one I would like to go through for real."

Following the crash scene the audience had the opportunity to take part in a simulated inquest into the day's events, with John Sampson, HM Deputy Coroner for Greater London (Southern District) at the Civic Offices, Bexleyheath (bottom pic).

"Today's events may have been an act but could happen to any of the young people here," said Charlotte Heath (16), Chair of BRAG. "BRAG is committed to improving road safety and is always trying new ways to grab people's attention and to get its message across."

"Although other road safety units have set-up crashes like this I believe this is the first time that a local coroner has taken a role in staging an inquest," said Cllr John Shepheard, Bexley's cabinet member for transport planning and parking. "Dead Cool? has brought home some serious messages about driving and has gone some way to educate Bexley's young drivers that the outcome of crashes can be devastating. It has been a brilliant day and everyone here has learnt some important road safety lessons, me included."

Membership to BRAG is open to youngsters between 14 and 19 years old who live or go to school in Bexley. For more information about BRAG's work, please call the Council's Road Safety Unit on 020 8303 7777, ext 2937 or visit www.brag.org.uk.

Footnote: A similar reconstruction staged by Peterborough City Council was reported on this newsfeed in August 2002.
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