Cleveland Backs Young Driver Scheme

The Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) is keen to educate young drivers on the dangers of distraction at the wheel.

With road safety week in full swing, Cleveland Fire Brigade, Cleveland police and local authorities are backing the campaign. Over one hundred 17–21 year olds from Billingham’s NETA Apprentice Training Centre were given the opportunity to partake in interactive sessions that saw fire fighters recreate a crash scene rescue.

Road collisions are still the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 15 and 19, whilst drivers are also four times more likely to have a crash when using a mobile phone.

Chief Fire Officer Ian Hayton explained; “We are focusing on the issue of young driver distraction because of the high fatality rate among young drivers.”

Mobile phone use, texting and eating are amongst the main distracted driving activities. In vehicle technologies have also been criticised as a source of distraction for many drivers.

Cleveland’s fire brigade 'learn and live' co-ordinator added “Driving requires 100% focus and concentration from a driver whether young, old, inexperienced or experienced.

“Passengers can also be a big source of distraction and have an important role to play in helping the driver to be able to concentrate on just driving, so the campaign will also be targeting messages about this too.”

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