A presentation ceremony took place within Girvan Academy where a group of students received an award in the voluntary category of the Scottish Accident Prevention Awards 2004.

The President of the Scottish Accident Prevention Council (SAPC), Ronnie Burns, presented the award. Also present was the Vice President Jim Black, South Ayrshire Council's representative on the SAPC, Councillor Robert Campbell, school Captains and representatives from the pupil council and staff.

The winning student became particularly interested in road safety after three vehicles were involved in a serious road accident in September 2003, on the A77 near the entrance to Chapeldonnan, Girvan. As a result of this accident four people were killed and three people were seriously injured. Three of the people involved in the accident were 17 years of age or younger, and everyone involved came from the Girvan area.

Councillor Robert Campbell speaking after the awards ceremony said: "The serious road accident in 2003 had a devastating affect on people in the Girvan area. Being a close community most students at Girvan Academy knew the young people involved in the accident.

"The students involved in highlighting road safety within their school should be very proud of what they have achieved. They have managed to create something positive following the road accident, and I hope that everyone will take on board the importance of road safety."

The accident had a particular impact on young people attending Girvan Academy, as classmates past and present had been involved in the accident. A group of students decided that they wanted to do something positive to highlight the importance of road safety. A meeting was organised to discuss the matter and was attended representatives of students, staff, Strathclyde Police, Officers from the Council's Road Safety and Community Education sections.

Following a number of meetings it was decided to:

• Form a structured programme of road safety in Girvan Academy
• Involve a Council Road Safety Officer in school induction days
• Arrange theatre in education performances on road safety
• Highlight the importance of road safety to the Pupil Council
• Work with the Girvan and South Carrick Social Inclusion Partnership to promote road safety through local youth workers to local communities
• Raise awareness on issues relating to bereavement among young people

October 2005