Oxfordshire launches Yellow Ribbon campaign

The Yellow Ribbon campaign was launched in Oxfordshire in October 2003 in an attempt to reduce road deaths in the 16-19 year age group. Students involved in the campaign are given a yellow ribbon to wear as public demonstration of their support for the campaign.

Yellow Ribbon is aimed at school years 12 and 13 because young people between the ages of 17 - 24 are at particularly high risk when walking, or travelling as a car passenger or novice driver.

The campaign builds on an initiative by Sgt. Andrew Peck of Derbyshire Constabulary, which involved a family member of someone who had been killed on the road talking about the person who had died to sixth form pupils.

By discussing the incident, what it had meant to them and their family and how this pointless loss of life could have been avoided, the speaker delivered a powerful message that visibly moved the audience.

"Reaching out and touching young people in this way has to have a permanent and lasting effect if it is to change their behaviour as road users," says Oxfordshire’s Mandy Rigault. "To do this, we offer the opportunity either to ask questions, make comments or watch a video on the subject."

Before they leave the presentation, students are asked if they would like to become part of the solution rather than the problem by joining the Yellow Ribbon campaign. If they decide to join, they can help prevent further deaths by:

• inviting anyone they know who has lost someone through a road death to consider becoming a speaker
  
• reading a letter from the speaker outlining the worst times of year for those left behind (birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas etc.) and considering the impact their death would have on their own family
  
• wearing a yellow ribbon as a symbol of waiting for a missing loved one - to raise awareness among the general public of the scale of the problem
  
• modifying/changing their own behaviour (if necessary) to minimise risk to themselves
  
• considering speaking out or intervening to prevent friends putting themselves at risk.

Yellow Ribbon in Oxfordshire is co-ordinated by Jane Evason - well known for her involvement with CADD - whose 19 year old son, Gareth, was killed by his friend Mark while on foot. Mark had been drinking, was 2 1/2 times over the legal blood-alcohol limit, got in his car and drove into Gareth, knocking him down and killing him. Mark was 18 years old.

Yellow Ribbon enjoys the full support and co-operation of Thames Valley Police and is also is supported by the road safety charity BRAKE, who will be helping to publicise it nationwide.

For further information contact Mandy Rigault on 01865 815949 or mandy.rigault@oxfordshire.gov.uk