Monday, 16 July 2012 15:21

Brighton and Hove City Council, Sussex police and the fire service visited Dorothy Stringer School recently to deliver a timely reminder to young people about the dangers of being distracted on or crossing the city’s roads as the summer holidays begin.
 
Brighton & Hove City Council, Sussex Police and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service teamed up to provide a day of activities on distraction as well as using seatbelts for 350 Year 7 students.
 
As the schools break up for summer Brighton & Hove’s road safety team is keen to get the message across about taking extra care with more people around and more vehicles on the road.
 
Many pupils admitted that they were often tempted not to belt up for short journeys, but having explored what can happen they were able to see how important it is to put on a seatbelt for every journey. The police and the fire and rescue service talked about their experience of managing collisions and how reducing risk on the road.
 
The consequences of having an accident were demonstrated by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service officers when they cut a casualty – the deputy head – out of a car by taking the roof off. The roof is cut off to minimise the chances of spinal injury to the casualty.
 
Using smartphones or MP3s when cycling or walking to cross the road can take awareness away from what’s happening on the road and put people at greater danger. Failure to look and see what’s coming is the highest cause of collisions in Brighton & Hove.
 
Councillor Ian Davey, chair of the city’s transport committee, said: “It’s essential that all our senses are available to help us when we’re out and about, so understanding how much having headphones on or concentrating on a hand-held device can distract from what’s going on around you is a useful exercise.
 
“We hope all young people have an enjoyable and safe holiday and look after themselves when travelling around the city.”