South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership has devised an innovative presentation addressing the consequences of road crashes, to which all fifth and sixth year students attending South Ayrshire Council schools were invited.

During 2004 eleven people died and 61 were seriously injured in road crashes in South Ayrshire. Young people driving or travelling in cars during the evening are one of the most likely groups to be involved in a serious road crash.

Chairman of the South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership, Councillor Douglas Campbell said: “Everyone within the Partnership is concerned about the number of young people who are involved in road crashes.

“In order to address this problem the Partnership developed a presentation that details the consequences of a single vehicle road traffic crash, and the ripple affect it has on peoples lives.

“The presentation gave young people the truth of what happens during and after a serious road crash, asks them to think about the victims, and explained the impact on friends and relatives whose lives are changed for ever. Some young people are killed, whilst others have to live the rest of their lives with the consequences of the crash that could be physical disabilities, mental scars, both, and sometimes guilt that they contributed to or caused the crash.

“Very importantly representatives from agencies who actually deal with the victims and their relatives, in their own words vividly and poignantly described the experience of dealing with seriously injured or dead young people and their families. Students were given a rare insight into how the lives of professional people are affected by what they see and do at work, and I believe that this was a revelation for some of the audience.

“I hope that young drivers, and those about to learn to drive, will remember that their lives could be changed forever, or ended in seconds, if they are involved in a serious crash. There was an important message delivered to passengers, letting them know that there is a need for them to act responsibly, not to distract a driver, not to let friends drink alcohol or take drugs and drive, and never to get into a vehicle with anyone who they believe has done so.”

Students were shown a video of events leading up to young people being involved in a crash, and this was interspersed with people from various agencies coming onto the stage and addressing the audience.

Operational staff representing Strathclyde Police, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service, Ambulance Service, and Hospital Accident and Emergency staff described in detail what their duties are when they attended crashes, or have to deal with the aftermath.

The South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership is a multi-agency partnership consisting of South Ayrshire Council, Strathclyde Police, Strathclyde Fire Brigade and Rescue Service, Ayrshire and Arran NHS Trust and various voluntary groups.

Chairman of the Community Safety Partnership, Councillor Douglas Campbell pictured outside the Odeon Cinema with representatives of the Council, partnership agencies and guests who were invited to see the presentation at the Odeon Cinema in Ayr.

After the performance Councillor Douglas Campbell thanked the staff from various agencies who took to the stage to address young people about the reality of what happens when a road accident happens (left to right) Eddie Goodwin, Paramedic Team Leader, Derek Scott, Staff Nurse Ayr Accident and Emergency, Councillor Douglas Campbell, Kevin Laing, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service and Stephen Dickson, Strathclyde Police Road Patrol Officer.

March 2005