Northern Constabulary and partners launch pilot road safety event for parents and young people in partnership with LifeScan Scotland
Issued by Northern Constabulary
A pilot event to educate parents and peers about the part they have to play in shaping the future of young drivers took place at Northern Constabulary force headquarters on Thursday evening in partnership with LifeScan Scotland.
The initiative is being backed by a host of multi-agency partners including Northern Constabulary, The Highland Council, Northern Safety Camera Partnership, Driving Standards Agency and HIFRS.
The pilot is being run to assess its impact with a view to shaping future events. It is designed to give parents or carers an idea of the responsibility they have in the learning process for young drivers. It also highlights to youngsters that owning a licence is a privilege which carries much responsibility.
Parents, carers and young people were invited to attend to hear a variety of road safety inputs from different agencies and individuals.
Those who attended the event were shown the Just Another Day DVD, featuring high speed crash survivor Donald Geddes, a short film made in conjunction with Northern Constabulary. The film is a real life account of how Donald’s life has been badly affected by the crash.
The Highland Council’s Road Safety Officers Lisa MacKellaich and Ross Bartlett took the group through a map of collisions in the Highland area and the Driving Standards Agency spoke specifically to the younger members of the audience about driving instructors as well as the practical and theory tests.
Northern Constabulary highlighted the risk of vehicle seizure if you are not insured, anti-social behaviour behind the wheel, drink driving and speeding. The Highland Council also spoke to parents about the influence they have on young drivers, as well as the Pass Plus Scheme.
There was also a more practical and interactive element to the evening with Fife Constabulary’s driving simulator. There were also sets from Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service, Northern Safety Camera Partnership, Road Policing’s Collision Investigation and Skid Car Scotland Ltd.
Laura Fisher, the Force’s Road Safety Officer, said: “The event has been run to highlight to parents and carers how much influence and impact they have on the development of young drivers.
“If young drivers are seeing examples of good practice and positive driving habits they are more likely to adopt these when they get behind the wheel.
“We want young drivers to feel safe and confident behind the wheel and their peers have a real responsibility in nurturing them during their formative years on the road.”
Some of the LifeScan staff who attended said: :
Derek Passmore: “I think the event was a great success and should definitely be introduced across the Highlands. I was very struck by the fact that children’s driving is shaped from their parents habits from the first time they get into a car with them."
Morag Cooper: “I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and found it very informative. Everyone was also so approachable and made us feel at ease. It is definitely a worthwhile program to introduce and I hope that it is successful."
Patsy Duncan: “It is definitely a good programme to introduce to the Highlands for new and upcoming drivers. If this message can reach out and help raise awareness of the dangers and help save a life, it is all worthwhile.
"It also reaches out to the parents of the young drivers, making them aware of the dangers and how they can also help to influence the youngsters with good, safe driving."