Young Driver Road Safety Campaign Launches in Walsall

Wednesday, 15 February 2023 16:48

Walsall Council is launching a road safety campaign to remind young drivers of the potentially catastrophic consequences of dangerous driving.

The campaign will launch on Wednesday 15 February 2023, asking young drivers to look out for their loved ones. The campaign identifies the terrible consequences for drivers and passengers when things go wrong.

The aim of the campaign is to encourage young drivers to take responsibility for their passengers and encourages passengers to speak out if they find themselves in a situation in which they feel uncomfortable.

Councillor Adrian Andrew, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration at Walsall Council, said: “dangerous driving can be catastrophic and young people need to be aware of the risks of driving irresponsibly. I hope this campaign will open their eyes to the dangers of irresponsible driving and encourage them to drive with care and consideration for their passengers and fellow road users.”

On Wednesday 15 February 2023 Road Safety Officers from Walsall will launch the campaign with a display of 113 red roses at the Wisemore Campus of Walsall College. Each red rose represents one of the 113 young people aged 17 to 24 who have been killed or seriously injured in the West Midlands within a 12 month period (latest available figures) as either passengers or drivers of a vehicle.

The display will provide a visual impact which captures the attention of the students allowing the opportunity for engaging discussion about driver behaviour and coping strategies which passengers could adopt, should they find themselves in a vehicle when they don’t feel comfortable. Road Safety Officers will also be encouraging the students to use the road safety driving simulator, which looks at the effects of distractions on their driving and the impact of driving whilst impaired through either drugs or alcohol.