Before Easter, Police officers from the Ilkeston Safer Neighbourhood Team and colleagues from Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service headed to Derby College to show the students what happens during a car crash.
Harnessing the skills of the college art students, student volunteers donned realistic make up and a scenario was set; a drink driver had crashed his car and hit a scooter. The outcome was the scooter rider was injured, the car passenger unconscious and a driver arrested for drink driving.
It was a hard-hitting event, as the fire service started the careful extraction of our injured passenger.
Julie Berry, Youth Engagement Officer for Derbyshire Constabulary said “This demonstration was really important to show the impact that drink driving can have on those in the vehicle and the wider community.
Another key element of this was to empower and encourage them to speak up and challenge their friends if they have had too much to drink and to feel confident in either not getting in the car with them, taking their keys off them and/or reporting them. As new drivers and passengers we want to make sure they are equipped to make informed choices and help to keep themselves, their friends and the wider public safe.
It was great to see how much the students engaged throughout the demonstration and the range of questions they asked our officers and fire service colleagues.”
This was the first of a range of planned awareness events that will take place across Derbyshire schools and colleges to educate students of the dangers faced when driving irresponsibly.
The clear message to drivers has been declared as follows: When you get behind a wheel, you not only have your own life in your hands, but the lives of others around you.
For more information on safe driving, visit Safer roads from Derbyshire Constabulary.