Teachers trained in road safety

With road crashes being the biggest cause of death and disability among young people, the hard hitting road safety training is being rolled out to teachers across the area to help save lives.

The 2young2die campaign highlights the dangers of irresponsible driving and provides teachers with the resources to lead interactive workshops with young people.

North Lanarkshire Council’s road safety team will use the campaign to raise awareness of bad driving including speeding, drink and drug driving, using a mobile while driving and not wearing a seat belt.

By encouraging young people to face up to the consequences of these actions, the council aims to make those drivers think and drive safely, and avoid putting themselves at risk of a road accident.

The 2young2die campaign is run by the national road safety charity, Brake, and supported by the council.

Councillor James Coyle, who is convener of planning and transportation at North Lanarkshire Council, said: “Passing your driving test and getting behind the wheel is exciting for young people but they’re at a far higher risk of being killed or injured in a road crash.

“We want to reduce this risk by highlighting the issues young people face as a new driver, a passenger or a pedestrian.

“The training doesn’t lecture to young people; it talks to them in a way they’ll listen to and understand.

“But it is hard hitting and designed to make them face up to the consequences of irresponsible driving.

“As a result, we want young people to think before they drive too fast or take a call on their mobile; a careless moment could lead to tragedy.”

Another aspect of the campaign is to highlight the effect that driving and carbon emissions have on the environment.

It encourages young people to think before they automatically jump into a car – don’t use it if you don’t have to and cut down on carbon emissions.

Teachers from the area will now take what they have learned from the course to the pupils.

The teachers who are pictured and took part from this area included Graeme Sheridan, from Abronhill High School; Paula McMullen, from St Maurice’s High School; Alison Abercrombie, and Suzanne Kerr from Our Lady’s High School.

You can find out more about the 2young2die campaign at www.brake.org.uk.