Part of the Etc.
Emergency services brought a special safety message to Redcar & Cleveland College this week as students are urged to be Bike Smart.
The visit coincided with Road Safety Awareness Week, a campaign urging people to take care when out on the roads.
Cleveland Fire Brigade were joined by Cleveland and Durham Police Specialist Operations, the North East Ambulance Service and local authority road safety officers to help drive home the safety message.
Tutorial enrichment co-ordinator Tom Markham said: “The aim of the event was to provide students with the important road safety message.
“Many of our young people will have just started to drive or are currently learning, so it is important they are aware, particularly at this time of year when the clocks have gone back meaning that it is darker earlier and the conditions on the road are more difficult.”
The Bike Smart event saw students trying out Virtual Reality goggles to see first-hand the potentially horrific consequences of a road traffic incident, while firefighters demonstrated what it takes to extract casualties from a car.
Andrew Bright, Cleveland Fire Brigade’s Learn and Live Coordinator, said: “The dark winter months provide additional risks for cyclists and motorcyclists and we are advising drivers how to be Bike Smart by not taking risks and remembering to Look Out for Each Other.
“Riders can also play an important part by having the right safety gear and also ensure that they are clearly visible in all conditions.
Other road users should take care and be extra vigilant respecting their fellow road user.”
Hearing about real case studies and seeing fellow students cut free from a car really hammered home the message.
The College’s enrichment co-ordinator Tom said: “I do think some students were shocked hearing about the incidents and how they can not just those directly involved but also their families and friends.”
As a Bike Smart driver there are a few simple steps you can take to make roads safer for people on bicycles and motorbikes:
1. Take time to look properly before you pull out at junctions – a second look could save a life!
2. Always stop behind the lines at a junction
3. Leave plenty of room when overtaking or passing bikes
4. Slow down on rural roads
5. Drive slowly in places where people live
6. Take car when opening your car door into traffic
The visit coincided with Road Safety Awareness Week, a campaign urging people to take care when out on the roads.
Cleveland Fire Brigade were joined by Cleveland and Durham Police Specialist Operations, the North East Ambulance Service and local authority road safety officers to help drive home the safety message.
Tutorial enrichment co-ordinator Tom Markham said: “The aim of the event was to provide students with the important road safety message.
“Many of our young people will have just started to drive or are currently learning, so it is important they are aware, particularly at this time of year when the clocks have gone back meaning that it is darker earlier and the conditions on the road are more difficult.”
The Bike Smart event saw students trying out Virtual Reality goggles to see first-hand the potentially horrific consequences of a road traffic incident, while firefighters demonstrated what it takes to extract casualties from a car.
Andrew Bright, Cleveland Fire Brigade’s Learn and Live Coordinator, said: “The dark winter months provide additional risks for cyclists and motorcyclists and we are advising drivers how to be Bike Smart by not taking risks and remembering to Look Out for Each Other.
“Riders can also play an important part by having the right safety gear and also ensure that they are clearly visible in all conditions.
Other road users should take care and be extra vigilant respecting their fellow road user.”
Hearing about real case studies and seeing fellow students cut free from a car really hammered home the message.
The College’s enrichment co-ordinator Tom said: “I do think some students were shocked hearing about the incidents and how they can not just those directly involved but also their families and friends.”
As a Bike Smart driver there are a few simple steps you can take to make roads safer for people on bicycles and motorbikes:
1. Take time to look properly before you pull out at junctions – a second look could save a life!
2. Always stop behind the lines at a junction
3. Leave plenty of room when overtaking or passing bikes
4. Slow down on rural roads
5. Drive slowly in places where people live
6. Take car when opening your car door into traffic