FRIENDS and family of victims of road traffic collision will share their experiences with school pupils as part of the Hunts Post’s Drive Safe – Save a Life campaign.
FRIENDS and family of victims of road traffic collisions will share their experiences with school pupils as part of the Hunts Post’s Drive Safe – Save a Life campaign.
Schools are being invited to take part in the campaign, targeted at improving the road safety of 17 to 25-year-olds across Cambridgeshire, by hosting the talks and getting the message home to the most at-risk group on the roads: young drivers.
Alison Staff, whose 17-year-old son Matthew Elliott died in a motorbike accident last summer, will explain the devastating effects of losing a loved one, and will be joined by Matthew’s school friends.
“To have someone who has been through the experience of losing a loved one might bring it home to young drivers how important road safety is,” said Mrs Staff.
“And for them to hear it from someone close to their own age – some of whom have had accidents themselves – we hope will make them sit up and take notice.”
Ollie Vale, a former riding partner of Matthew’s and fellow student at Hinchingbrooke School, is better placed than most to speak about the dangers inexperienced drivers face on the road every day.
He suffered a broken leg when he was knocked off his 50cc moped on the A1198 in Godmanchester, an accident that he describes as a “lucky escape”.
Ollie, who now drives a car, was fortunate to escape without more serious injury and hopes that his experiences can serve as a warning to others.
“I wanted to be a part of this after what we went through with losing Mattie last summer. I hope that by hearing what happened, it will encourage young drivers to think more,” he said.
He added his accident had made him more aware of his vulnerability on the road.
“Since my accident, and since Mattie’s, I think about things a lot more and I’m more safety-conscious.
“You never think that accidents could happen to you or your friends, but they can.”
INFORMATION: If you would like the Drive Safe – Save a Life campaign to visit your school, or if you would like to get involved, e-mail editor@huntspost.co.uk
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