Teens create video to promote safer driving

PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Judith Gillespie joined with members of Banbridge District Policing Partnership and representatives of various local organisations to view the video which raises awareness of the dangers of being distracted while driving.

Young people from the local area have worked with the organisations since April this year to make the film and highlight the problems with drink and drug driving, texting while driving and passenger distractions.

Police, Fire service, REACT and Allstate NI representatives gathered in the Iveagh Movie Studios last week to view the film and hear from the young people involved in its production.

For the Banbridge District the target audience is Year 12 students, focusing on their role as passengers, and students from Years 13 and 14 as new and soon-to-be young drivers. Through these Young Passengers And Drivers (YPAD) events, the project partners will engage with around 1,000 students through 36 events across seven post-primary establishments. Local young people from across the District were involved from the outset in planning and acting in the film, and it’s hoped that this will encourage them and their peers to become advocates for safer driving practices. Other DPPs including Belfast, Armagh, Antrim, Down, Fermanagh and Newry and Mourne contributed to the £7,000 cost of the film.

Chairman of Banbridge District Policing Partnership (DPP), Councillor Seamus Doyle, said the project is key to ensuring safer driving on our roads.

“Banbridge DPP was able to take the opportunity to develop this initiative because of the excellent working relationship with the project partners,” he said. “The elements of the Young Passengers And Drivers awareness-raising events will help to engage our local young people in considering the role that they have in preventing deaths and serious injuries on the roads, and the film will provide a resource for agencies and communities both in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland.”

The PSNI’s Deputy Chief Constable Judith Gillespiesaid she this event further demonstrates the police service’s commitment toreducing road deaths and serious injuries among young drivers. 

She said, “The young passengers and driver’s awareness scheme delivers a strong message to our young people in an interesting, informative and user friendly way. This message will be delivered to over 1000 young people before the end of March 2012, promoting everyone’s responsibility to keep our roads safe. No one wants to see young lives wasted on our roads and initiatives like Y-Pad can only help in preventing this.”