Campaign focus is on young drivers (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Campaign focus is on young drivers

9:00am Saturday 7th November 2009

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IN the run-up to a special Wyre Forest service in memory of road crash victims, young drivers are being urged to take extra care to avoid further tragedies.

The RoadPeace Service at St Ambrose Church, Birmingham Road, Kidderm-inster, at 6.30pm on Sunday, November 15, will mark the World Day of Remembrance for road traffic victims.

It is the 15th year the service has been held in the town.

PC Sian Davies, of the North Worcestershire Road Policing Unit, said: “Young drivers are over represented in road traffic collisions.

“According to figures from the Safer Roads Partnership, over the last three years 37 per cent of all collisions involved young drivers, with 13 young drivers killed and 113 seriously injured on Worcestershire roads.

“These figures take on even more significance when you consider that only one in eight licence holders are under 25.

“Being distracted behind the wheel of a car, whether by loud music, using your mobile phone or chatting to your mates, can mean you react slower to what’s happening around you.

“Even more concerning is that studies show young drivers are more likely to take risks behind the wheel of a car, seeking thrills from driving too fast.

“Government statistics also show that male drivers under 25 have the highest incidence of failing a breath test after being involved in a road crash in which someone was injured.”

PC Davies added: “Statistics don’t really represent the true effect of being involved in a collision where someone is killed.

“I see at first hand the devastation that is caused by a driver being distracted or taking a risk behind the wheel.

“Anyone involved in a collision like this, if they are lucky enough to survive, will always have to live with the consequences.

“We are appealing to all drivers, but particularly young people, to take care on the roads and think about the true ramifications of how they drive. “ Kidderminster member for RoadPeace, former police superintendent, Peter Picken, is also one of the organisers of this year’s service.

Along with the families and friends of road victims it is traditionally attended by representatives of the emergency services and nursing organisations.

Mr Picken said: “We support families who have had their world turned upside down and devastated by a road crash which in most cases is avoidable if motorists would only pay more attention to their driving.”

He said that this year the focus was on young drivers following a number of fatalities on roads in the county over the past 12 months.

He added: “We are trying to promote driver awareness, particularly among young people who are not generally experienced enough to deal with all situations they might encounter on the roads.

“It’s important to be aware of traffic conditions as it only takes one momentary lapse behind the wheel to result in the death of a person.”

Anyone can attend the service on November 15 and further details are available from Canon Paul Brothwell on 01299 823495.

• CLICK HERE TO EMAIL THE EDITOR WITH THE NAMES OF LOVED ONES YOU WOULD LIKE REMEMBERED AT THE SERVICE.

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