Students experience hazardous ‘roads’

Students at the University of Central Lancashire were last week given the chance to drive along computerised ‘roads’ in a new bid to increase road safety.

The simulated display put the students in front of a screen featuring a road that had almost every conceivable hazard likely to be encountered in day-to-day travel - including children playing in the street, pedestrians behind cars, and vehicles waiting to leave exits.

The simulation was organised by Lancashire County Council's Road Safety Group as part of the University’s ‘Be Safe, Be Secure’ week. "It is a fact that one in five newly qualified drivers is involved in an accident in their first year of driving," said Christine Gibson, the council's senior road safety adviser. "This hazard awareness test is a realistic portrayal of the dangers encountered on the roads. It is an enjoyable way of tackling a serious subject.

"We know that new drivers take up to two seconds longer than experienced drivers to spot potential dangers. Techniques such as scanning the road ahead can avoid that danger."

Hazard awareness and other road safety issues were discussed at two special 20-minute presentations held during the week, which began on Monday 2 February.

For further information please contact: Neil Graham on 01772 531095,
neil.graham@css.lancscc.gov.uk