Shock scenes to spur safer driving (From The Advertiser Series)

Shock scenes to spur safer driving

6:18pm Monday 25th June 2012 in News By Lizzie Anderson

SHOCKING car crash footage has been shown to North-East teenagers to highlight the tragic results of dangerous and drunk driving.

The Vehicle Education Programme at Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre also featured demonstrations of people being cut from cars, a talk by a young crash victim and the opportunity to try out a driving simulator.

Aimed at 14-19 year-olds, it is the first in a series of one-day workshops in the town, with up to 300 pupils from Woodham Technology College and Greenfield Community and Arts College expected to take part over the next month.

Fifteen-year-old Abbey Forrest from Woodham Technology College said the footage had been a “real eye opener.”

“I didn’t expect it to be quite as bad as it was but I think it got the message across,” she added.

Durham County Council’s road safety section, youth workers, police, driving instructors, car maintenance experts, firefighters and prison officers are also supporting the project and were on hand to offer help and advice.

One woman with a particularly serious message to pass on was 21-year-old Colleen Tebble from Newton Aycliffe, who is still suffering the emotional and physical effects of a car accident three years ago.

Miss Tebble was a passenger at the time of a crash that saw the driver lose control of the vehicle and collide with a tree.

“We were driving within the speed limit and we were not doing anything wrong but the crash still happened,” she said. “I want to show the teenagers how accidents can occur even without alcohol or reckless driving. That’s why it is so important to be sensible.”

Andrew Jenkins, head of year 10 at Woodham Technology College, said the pupils had really enjoyed the workshop, adding: “I think it a fantastic as it has given the kids a chance to try things they have never had the opportunity to do before. We did worry the footage may be a little hard hitting but I think it helped deliver the message.”

The programme, which is funded by the Home Office, is also offering 10-week intensive courses for young learner drivers and licence holders.