Shelley pupils learn road crash tips

Jul 9 2009 By Anne-Marie Senior

PUPILS turned crash victims for the day to learn about the dangers of reckless driving.

Around 90 sixth-formers at Shelley College got to sample the horrors of a road accident as part of a safe driving scheme.

Officers from Skelmanthorpe Fire Station, Kirklees road traffic police and Yorkshire Ambulance Service teamed up to give students a realistic insight into a road smash.

The teenagers were first shown a hard-hitting video featuring a road accident.

Representatives from the three emergency services then gave detailed talks about what they face at a typical crash site.

The students were then given a live demonstration of a rescue, using a pupil as a mock crash victim.

They watched as the fire services removed the driver from the scene, with the help of police and ambulance crews.

Skelmanthorpe Fire Station manager Dave Smith said: “We wanted to target 17-year-olds and new drivers to raise awareness about the implications of foolish driving.

“We take it as far as we can. If we get through to just one pupil, then it is worth doing.”

The initiative has proved so successful since it was started by Skelmanthorpe Fire Station last year, it now looks set to be rolled out across West Yorkshire.