Road safety play tours Northern Ireland

A play aimed at highlighting the consequences of dangerous driving to young people and the pain and the life changes following a serious car collision is currently touring secondary schools across Northern Ireland.

The Minister of the Environment Sam Foster visited Little Flower Girls Secondary School in Belfast, to view ‘Never Saw the Day’, performed by the Walking Forward Theatre Company, from Faversham in Kent. The play which is based on a true story, tells the tale of a group of friends whose lives change following a car crash, which leaves one of them wheelchair bound.

Mr Foster said: “With such unacceptable levels of carnage on our roads, often involving young people, it is good to see companies, such as the Walking Forward Theatre Company, promoting very important road safety messages. The reaction of the students to this powerful drama presentation has been very encouraging and will hopefully affect their future actions and behaviour, not only as drivers but also through influencing other drivers.

“Productions such as this, performed by young professional actors, enhance the road safety efforts of Road Safety Education Officers and teachers alike. I commend the Walking Forward Theatre Company and the many teachers throughout Northern Ireland for their continuing support in keeping death and injury off our roads.”

The Walking Forward Theatre Company from Faversham, Kent has been operating since 1992 and has performed its road safety educational plays to adults and young people in locations as diverse as Bosnia, Cyprus and Hong Kong.

The company are currently on a two-week tour of Northern Ireland with the road safety play ‘Never Saw The Day’ funded by the Department of the Environment. (AMcE)