Christmas Drink and Drug Drive Campaign targets young people
The shocking scene of an alcohol-related collision greeted visitors to police headquarters at Enderby last night (Monday December 1) as Leicestershire Constabulary's Road Policing Unit officially launched their Christmas Drink and Drug Drive Campaign.
The scene, which was mocked up with help from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, was used to kick off an evening event focussing on drink and drug driving and other road safety issues affecting young people inparticular.
Teachers and youth workers for children between the ages of 15 and 18 were invited to attend the event, which included hard hitting presentations regarding the wearing of seatbelts, the use of mobile phones, alcohol and drug related collisions and speeding. The presentation also looked at the devastating impact a young person's death has on their family and friends.
PC Sean Stone, who organised the event with his colleague PC James Austin, said: "Our Christmas Drink and Drug Drive Campaign is particularly targeted at young drivers. Over the Christmas period last year, more than a third of motorists arrested for drink driving were under the age of 25.
"The aim of last night's event was to get key messages across to teachers and other professionals who work with young people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. It was also an opportunity to demonstrate to schools the presentations that officers from the Road Policing Unit are able to give to classes.
"We hope that by going into schools and engaging with teenagers, we can make them aware of the dangers at a time when they are starting to ride mopeds or travel as passengers in cars driven by other young people."
Inspector Vivienne Brenchley, commander of the Road Policing Unit, said: "Young drivers are a key group with regard to fatal casualties on theroads. In 2007 a total of 27 young people under the age of 25 were killed in road traffic collisions in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. In the same age group, a further 138 were seriously injured and 1,438 were slightly injured.
"My officers don't want to respond to crashes, they want to prevent them. This presentation aims to do that by proactively educating young people about the dangers and terrible consequences of irresponsible driving. The feedback from teachers and pupils has been very positive."
Any school that would like to receive a presentation by officers from the Road Policing Unit can leave a message for PC 1644 Sean Stone by calling Leicestershire Constabulary on 0116 222 2222. Follow the instructions to leave a message and when prompted key in the officer's identification number 1644.
Anyone with information about people who are drinking and driving is urged to report them to police by calling 0116 222 2222 or Crimestoppers, which is free* and anonymous, on 0800 555 111.
* Please note some mobile phone service providers may charge for this call.
Edited by MikeTorque on 06/12/2008 at 23:54
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