27 February 2008

Gwynedd youngsters learn the rules of the road

With recent statistics showing that young drivers remain the most likely to be involved in road traffic collisions, Gwynedd Council has teamed up with its partners to hold a roadshow which will travel to each of the county’s secondary schools to let young people know about the dangers posed to them on the roads.

The CSI Cymru (Crash Scene Incident) Road Safety Initiative has been developed in partnership between Gwynedd Council, North Wales Police, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust, and aims to give young people advice about road safety, and show them the dangers faced by young drivers.

The roadshows include an exhibition of a crashed vehicle along with dummy casualties which clearly show the frightening injuries which can be sustained in road traffic collisions.

Councillor R H Wyn Williams, who leads on the Environment on Gwynedd Council said:

“With so many collisions on the road affecting our young people, I am very pleased to see that Gwynedd’s young people receive the best possible advice about road safety.

“By working with our partners, we hope to reduce the number of young people involved in road traffic collisions and to ensure their safety on the roads.”

The roadshows are targeting pupils aged 15/16 years old within Year 11 of all Gwynedd secondary schools – who will soon be able to apply for a provisional licence.

Heather Lynne Jones, Gwynedd Council Road Safety Officer added:

“The response from the schools we have already attended has been very positive, and the pupils have said it has given them real insight into the dangers of the road.

“The aim of the roadshow is to make the pupils aware of the responsibility and the respect required of being a road users especially a motor vehicle driver or passengers. We hope to change attitudes of young people before they become drivers. 

“Most of these young people are just 12 months away from being provisional driving licence holders, and we hope that this initiative will encourage the young people to be responsible when driving - not only for themselves, but for the passengers that they are carrying and other road users’ sharing the same road space.”

The initiative comes about following the high percentage of young road users being killed and seriously injured on Welsh roads. During 2006, a total of 617 drivers aged 18 were involved in collisions.

The roadshows will visit the following schools on the accompanying dates:

Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, Penygroes on 26 February;

Ysgol Brynrefail, Llanrug on 27 February;

Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen, Caernarfon on 28 and 29 February;

Ysgol Botwnnog on 3 March;

Ysgol Eifionydd, Porthmadog on 4 March;

Ysgol Glan y Môr, Pwllheli on 5 March;

Ysgol y Gader, Dolgellau on 6 March;

Ysgol y Moelwyn, Blaenau Ffestiniog on 7 March;

Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn on 10 March;

Ysgol y Berwyn, Y Bala on 11 March;

Ysgol Ardudwy, Harlech on 12 March