This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New road safety programme for pupils
20/02/2006
A new classroom resource aimed at reducing the number of young people killed and injured on Scotland's roads was launched today.
The resource called "Crash Magnets" has been developed by Road Safety Scotland and is aimed at 14-18 year old school pupils. "Crash Magnets" is a phrase used to describe drivers most likely to be involved in a car crash. This could include teenagers with their own car, who have friends with cars or have access to their parents car.
Speaking at the launch at Anderson High School in Shetland, which was one of twenty schools involved in piloting the resource, Transport Minister Tavish Scott said:
"Every day in Scotland two young people are killed or injured in road accidents. That's two too many.
"Road safety education has a vital role to play in ensuring that our young people stay safe on our roads. This innovative new resource will help shape opinions and attitudes to issues such as speeding, drink driving, drug driving and in-car safety.
"The message I want our young people to get is - passing the driving test gives you the right to drive, but with that right there are many responsibilities."
Commenting on the new resource, Nick Morgan, of Learning and Teaching Scotland said:
"High-quality multimedia resources such as the 'Crash Magnets' DVD are a great means to engage young people in learning. This new DVD is purposely designed for use by teenagers, and makes use of diverse resources to stimulate them to think and talk about risks to themselves from young drivers who speed, use alcohol or drugs, or get easily distracted.
"It will help young people to grasp road safety issues, and become 'confident individuals' and 'responsible citizens' - two of the key purposes of "A Curriculum for Excellence".
Chief Constable John Vine, Chair of the ACPOS Road Policing Business Area said:
"The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) and all Scottish Police Forces are very supportive of Road Safety Scotland's 'Crash Magnets' programme.
"Police forces throughout Scotland are fully aware of the factors that lead to drivers being identified as 'crash magnets' and are striving to reduce road casualties that result from drivers whose risky behaviour makes them more likely to cause accidents."
Elizabeth Lumsden, Road Safety Manager, RoSPA Scotland said:
"Children in this age group can often be hard-to-reach members of our society. They are current road users as pedestrians, cyclists and passengers, but they are also future drivers who will begin their driving careers in an 'at-risk' group. Getting the safety message across to them must be done in a way that captures their interest - Crash Magnets fills this gap and will provide schools with a useful tool that I am confident will go a long way to reducing road accident casualties in Scotland.
Sue Nicholson, Head of Campaigns and Policy for the RAC Foundation said:
"Every day of the year, one family in Scotland will have to face the heartbreak of visiting their teenager in the morgue or intensive care unit following a road accident. Many of these deaths and injuries are preventable and education remains the most powerful tool we have to change this. The Crash Magnets programme communicates with teenagers on a level that they can understand and identify with - using technology and imagery that doesn't preach. Instead it provides real information and background on the issues which will influence their safety and future, encouraging them to become responsible road users and drivers."
Neil Greig, the AA's head of policy in Scotland said:
'The AA Motoring Trust in Scotland welcomes the launch of the new Crash Magnets resource. Accidents involving young drivers remain far too high and represent a tragic waste of one of Scotland's most valuable resources. The specific risks that young drivers face are well known but need to be presented to them in a way that will spark and hold their interest. A resource developed with and by young people has the greatest chance of stimulating individuals to think about their and others safety and we wish it every success.'
The "Crash Magnets" resource comprises a DVD with five programmes covering subjects such as; driver distraction, speed, the cruise culture and drink and drug driving. It delves into the role of the accident and emergency services and the harrowing aftermath of a serious crash. Young people from across Scotland are Vox Pop subjects in each programme, expressing opinions and talking about their experiences. This encourages students to feel confident about talking out in class about their opinions and experiences.
Additional teaching materials stretching to ten lessons can be selected from the 'Crash Magnets' tool box. These include situation cards and case studies to stimulate discussion and inform debate. Other activities, less auditory in style , involving active and creative learning involving role-play and design. Establishing penalties for driving offences and examining life in a Young Offenders Institution take forward the citizenship issues of how we influence change in society.
'Crash Magnets' tackles all these issues and more, in allowing young people to explore their own feelings and attitudes. It also acknowledges that, at their age, driving a car has great benefits in developing independence and giving the freedom to go where you want, when you want, and not have to depend on parents, buses or cadging a lift. The car has a status and pulling power that, for some people, defines them as an adult, but this must be balanced with an understanding of the dangers of behaving irresponsibly at the wheel.