Road safety event for teens

Lisburn & Castlereagh Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) played a key role in delivering the hard-hitting Police Road Safety Roadshow to 800 young people from schools across Lisburn and Castlereagh.

Students from St Patrick`s Academy, Dundonald High, Breda Academy, SERC, Beechlawn School, Forthill College and Wallace High on Wednesday attended the show on 24 February at Lagan Valley Island.

The award winning ‘It Could be You’ Roadshow, which is sponsored by AXA Insurance aims to positively influence those drivers who are about to start out on what will hopefully be a long and safe motoring career.

Chairman of Lisburn & Castlereagh PCSP, Councillor Scott Carson commented, “Death and injury due to road traffic collisions, particularly to children and young people, is of great concern to us all.

“The challenge facing us all is to reduce road traffic collisions and the risk of injury. I was encouraged that 800 young people had the opportunity to watch this show in Lisburn and would urge everyone to take care whilst using our roads.”

The story is told by a police officer, a paramedic, a fire officer, an Accident and Emergency consultant, a representative of a victim support group and the real life story of a young woman, who was paralysed following a horrific collision.

Constable John Wilson of the Road Policing Unit explained, “This show gives us an incredible opportunity to deliver a challenging message which graphically illustrates the dangers young motorists can face, how quickly things can go wrong and how lives can be shattered.

“I hope they leave the show realising that they are not indestructible, that they are as vulnerable on the roads as the next person and that they must respect the roads and all road users.”

Donna McCabe, AXA Direct Lisburn said, “AXA staff come into contact with the aftermath of road traffic collisions on a daily basis and see first-hand the tragedy that ensues. We are delighted to provide ongoing funding for the Roadshow.”