Fewer Casualties Thanks To Ten Years Of Young Driver Campaign
20 February 2012
The number of young people injured in vehicles on Peterborough
roads has fallen by more than a third since the launch of the
'For My Girlfriend' drink
drive campaign in February 2002.
In 2011, 152 people aged 17 to 25 were
injured on Peterborough roads compared to 240 casualties in
2002.
An annual For My Girlfriend crash reconstruction has been staged
locally by Peterborough City Council and
emergency services with students at Peterborough Regional College
for the past ten years.
The reconstruction will take place again this year, on Wednesday
22 February 2012 at 10am.
The event will encourage students to take part in various
thought-provoking activities throughout the day including playing
out a court scene, contributing to a 'cool wall' and learning how
stopping distances are affected by driver behaviour.
Students will participate in discussion about the causes of
vehicle crashes and reasons for accidents occurring as well as
drink driving which include speeding, using a mobile phone when
driving, not wearing a seat belt and driving without care and
attention.
Clair George, Road Safety Officer for
the SaferPeterborough partnership, said: "For My Girlfriend
illustrates the terrible dangers and consequences of driving
irresponsibly. One of the key priorities of the SaferPeterborough
road safety action plan is to reduce the number of young drivers
and passengers aged 17 to 25 who are killed or seriously injured on
Peterborough roads.
"Young drivers have the tendency to drive too
quickly and to over-estimate their driving ability. They are also
vulnerable to peer pressure."
For My Girlfriend is one of a number of
initiatives delivered by the SaferPeterborough partnership in a bid
to reduce casualties in the 17 to 25 age group and influence their
driving attitude and behaviour. These include a young driver
education day, theatre in education productions and media campaigns
addressing issues such as drink and drug driving.
Ends.
Media contact: Pep Cipriano, SaferPeterborough
Communications Manager- telephone 01733 452551 or email pep.cipriano@peterborough.gov.uk.
Notes for editors
1. You are invited to send a
photographer, film crew and/or journalist to the For My Girlfriend
event at Peterborough Regional College, Park Crescent, Peterborough
on Wednesday 22 February 2012 at
10am.
2. In 2011, 78 people were killed or seriously
injured on Peterborough roads and 803 were slightly
injured.
3. Casualties aged 17 to 25 in vehicles
| Year |
Fatal |
Serious |
Slight |
Total |
| 2009 |
1 |
13 |
186 |
200 |
| 2010 |
2 |
13 |
176 |
191 |
| 2011 |
2 |
3 |
147 |
152 |
4. For My Girlfriend evolved from a major
study into attitudes among young drivers in 2000. The study focused
on attitudes towards driving, speed and road safety. The study
confirmed drivers in this age group found it impossible to imagine
their own mortality - they simply do not believe they will die in a
crash.
5. The campaign won a Prince Michael
International Road Safety Award in December 2004.