Car Crash Simulation To Be Held At City Hall

A simulated car crash is to be carried out in the ground of Belfast's City Hall later today, 13 October, to highlight the consequences of dangerous driving.

The Roadsafe Roadshow aims to demonstrate the aftermath of a crash, and the impact it has on those involved. It features contributions from a Police officer, a paramedic, a Fire and Rescue officer, an Accident and Emergency consultant and a young person who has been paralysed following a horrific collision.

The Roadsafe Roadshow, devised by the Police Service of Northern Ireland Roads Policing Unit, and supported by AXA Insurance, has been seen by thousands of teenagers all over Northern Ireland and has picked up a number of prestigious education and training awards.

Recognising that many people under 25 are killed or injured on our roads each year, the Roadshow aims to bring its message to those about to start out on what will, hopefully, be a long and safe motoring career.

Speaking about the demonstration Chief Inspector Diane Penningtion said: "The Roadsafe Roadshow has been a major success. We have been able to bring a road safety message to thousands of young people in one of the most vulnerable road user age groups. I have no doubt that the road show shocks, perhaps even horrifies, our young audiences. We make no apology for that.

"We believe that showing realistically just what happens on our roads, has an impact on the students who attend. I hope that after seeing the road show they realise that they are not indestructible; that they are as vulnerable on the roads as the next person and that they must respect the roads and other users.

"One of the hardest parts of any police officer's job is breaking the news of the death or injury of a loved one to relatives. It is especially heartbreaking when that news is of a young person whose whole life lay ahead. Most traffic collisions could have been avoided and we hope that the road show will help young people realise the consequences of their actions."

Gerry Lennon, Group Commander, NI Fire & Rescue Service also said: "Firefighters attend road traffic collisions to rescue people trapped in vehicles and unfortunately we witness the carnage on our roads and the lives destroyed. So far this year we have attended over 540 road traffic collisions and at those incidents 30 people have sadly lost their lives.

"By doing a road traffic collision rescue demonstration at the Roadsafe Roadshow we are giving young people an insight into the reality of what Firefighters and the other emergency services witness at the scene of a collision. We hope this hard-hitting demonstration will stay with the young people and they remember it every time they get behind the wheel."

(MH/LM)