People of all ages invited to Road Safety Awareness Event

by Alan Quick

MOTORISTS of all ages, are invited to attend a Road Safety Awareness Event to be held at Lords Meadow Leisure Centre overflow car park in Crediton tomorrow, Saturday, November 28.

The free event will run from 11.30am to 1.30pm.

It will include a mock rescue of a casualty from a car demonstration by Crediton firefighters.

The firefighters will use “jaws of life” cutting equipment to cut the roof off of a car to remove the person safely, placing the person on a spinal injury board. The fire crews will work alongside a Hart ambulance team.

Crediton Neighbourhood Policing Team and the Ambulance Service will also be attending and offering safety advice.

There will be demonstration videos and a chance to “have-a-go” in a driving simulator vehicle.

There will be presentations on the dangers of speeding, driving while texting, or driving while on a mobile telephone, as well as driving under the influence of drink and/or drugs. The talks will be followed by a free lunch.

Crediton PCSO Rebecca Tanner, said: “As part of the partnership road safety event, Sergeant Olly Tayler from Devon and Cornwall Police will be giving a presentation on the importance of road safety to all road users, young and old alike.

“Do you know the risks you face as a driver or passenger and how you can minimise those risks? If not then you can’t afford to miss this opportunity.

“Sergeant Tayler is an experienced Police Traffic Officer who is a road safety specialist as well as a Senior Investigator for serious and fatal collisions so brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience.

“Sergeant Tayler has also been instrumental in the development of ‘The Honest Truth’ road safety charity which was set up following a tragic collision in 2009 in South Devon that claimed the lives of three young people.

“The Honest Truth is now used across the United Kingdom and works with Approved Driving Instructors to provide life saving education to new and young drivers along with educational resources for much younger road users.

“Join us at the leisure centre between 11.30am and 1.30pm to see a brand new resource being launched in Devon.”

Becky added: “Sergeant Tayler’s presentation will be at approximately 1pm and will last about 30 minutes.

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re five or 85, road safety affects us all and it is the responsibility of all of us to ensure that the roads are as safe as they can be for everyone. Come along and meet Sergeant Tayler along with colleagues from across the emergency services.”