Teenagers Targeted In Road Safety TV Ad

TEENAGERS in Oxfordshire who have been involved in a car crash are being asked to come forward to take part in a television commercial that will focus on safety.
The commercials will be used on MTV. Oxfordshire County Council is one of several authorities around the country helping the government to find teenagers to appear.
Ideally the youngsters should have been aged between 14 and 16 when they were involved in the accident. Injuries sustained need not be long lasting. The team is particularly on the lookout for passengers who were involved in an accident due to the actions of a driver who had been drinking, taking drugs or driving dangerously.

Any teenager who was involved in an accident in which a loved one was killed or sustained serious injury is asked to come forward.

Empowering teenagers

Oxfordshire County Council Road Safety Officer Julie Jones said: “We are only too pleased to help with this national campaign. Teenagers may not feel that they can tell a driver to slow down or stop mucking about if they feel at risk. We want to empower teens to take control of their lives before they get into a car in which a driver will put them at risk.”

Anybody who is interested should contact Glyn Robinson on 020 7944 4341or email glyn.robinson@dft.gsi.gov.uk. The commercials are due to be filmed on 12/13 May so any likely candidates are asked to come forward quickly.

BY THE WAY….
KEEPING DEATH OFF THE ROAD OR?TAKE YOUR TIME, NOT YOUR LIFE!?
By Nicholas Newman Editor Oxfordprospect.co.uk 28/04/2007

Did you know 25,000 people died on Europe?s highways last year, and during the same period, there were 65 fatalities on the Oxfordshire?s highways? So far 9 people have been killed in motoring accidents on the county?s roads, this year alone. That?s one less than for the same period last year- which ultimately saw the highest fatality rate on local roads for 16 years.

Thames Valley Police is taking part in a European campaign to try to reduce this needless slaughter, led by the European Commission and coordinated by TISPOL ? the European Traffic Police Network.

At a Thames Valley press conference to launch the campaign, spokesman, Sgt Chris Appleby, Road Safety Team declared: “It aims to be working to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads in the region, particularly young people.”

When asked why this campaign is focusing on young people, Sgt Appleby responded:”?Every year around 150 people are killed on the roads in the Thames Valley. Around nine of these fatalities are young people and a further 1,000 young people are injured each year. We are doing what we can to let young people know how they can keep themselves safe.”

As to what causes of all these accidents, Sgt Chris Appleby observed:”Speeding is the biggest cause of fatal collisions, with people not wearing seatbelts in vehicles, a close second.”