Rowallane DEA Supports Young Driver’s Safety Initiative Event

A group of young students from St Colman’s High and Sixth Form College recently participated in Rowallane District Electoral Area (DEA) young driver’s safety event. The safety event was organised in partnership with Drive Techniques, Bishopscourt Racing Circuit, New Drivers NI, Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP), PSNI and NIFRS and took place on Thursday 10 November. The event provided students with a wide range of information on the dangers of being distracted while driving, vehicle safety and car insurance. Demonstrations were also delivered by the NIFRS and the PSNI on what happens at the scene of a car accident.

NIFRS opened the event by delivering a comprehensive presentation on the dangers of distraction when driving which included video clips of serious car accidents highlighting to the young people the importance of keeping themselves and others safe when driving.

Students were given a lesson on how to carry out basic vehicle safety checks on a car to ensure it remains safe on the roads which included tyre safety, oil checks and basic car maintenance. This was followed by the opportunity to drive around Bishopscourt Racing Circuit accompanied by a fully qualified driving instructor from Drive Techniques Driving School.

The PSNI and NIFRS then conducted a live demonstration on how crash victims are cut out of a vehicle following an accident. To make the demonstration more realistic, some of the students participated to understand the reality of what happens after a vehicle crash.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Michael Savage said, “The latest statistics indicate that our Council area has the second highest level of road traffic accidents within Northern Ireland. Today’s event has highlighted the devastating consequences of unsafe driving and delivered some hard-hitting images and presentations which we hope will remain with everyone when they sit behind the steering wheel of a vehicle in the future. I would like to thank all those involved in delivering this impressive initiative.”