September means ‘back to school’ and inevitably a return to the school run and busier roads. RADAR, Northern Ireland’s first fully interactive safety and life skills education centre, based in Belfast is taking the opportunity to launch a road safety campaign to highlight potential dangers on the road and crucially educating drivers on the importance of safe driving.
Statistics from the PSNI show that September was the worst month of 2016 for fatal and serious collisions in Northern Ireland. The Detailed Trends Report 2016, published at the end of June* also showed that:
- There were 6,225 injury collisions recorded by the Police Service of Northern Ireland – the highest number observed since 2009 which continuing the upward trend from previous years.
- Children (under the age of 16) and young people (aged 16 to 24) killed or seriously injured were at their highest level since 2012 and 2010 respectively.
- The most common cause for deaths or serious injury were ‘inattention or attention diverted; ‘excessive speed having regard to conditions’ and ‘wrong course/position’.
Campaign ambassador Pete Snodden said: “I am proud to support the RADAR road safety awareness campaign. As the father of two young children I am well aware of dangers on and around our roads.
“Just a few simple steps can ensure both drivers and pedestrians can be safer and that means slowing down and being aware of stopping distances – the faster the car the longer it will take to stop; drivers and all car passengers should wear appropriate restraints. Drivers don’t be distracted, all drivers should put their mobile phones beyond use. When crossing the road, pedestrians need to remember to look right, look left and look right again and finally, if you’re using a bus – get on or off only when it has stopped to allow you to do so.”
RADAR is the only one of its kind on the island of Ireland that provides informative and fun workshops for groups of children and young people giving them the opportunity to explore everyday dangers in a risk free setting. Subjects include: Fire Safety, water safety, bus safety, road safety, train safety, personal safety, electrical safety, e-safety and farm safety.
RADAR also shares important lessons around life skills to promote everything from healthy eating and money awareness to managing issues such as anti-social behaviour, bullying, diversity and alcohol awareness, encouraging pupils to think about their choices and to take responsibility for their actions.
Sandra Leo, RADAR Centre Manager Belfast said: “Every day we see in our newspapers and on our TV screens the outcomes of poor driving. Our mission at RADAR is to help young people keep themselves safe. Since we opened in January 2016 we have welcomed almost 15,000 children and young people through our doors to deliver tailored, effective education about a wide range of safety and life skills including road safety.
“September is a month of firsts for many people, whether that’s embarking on the school run for the first time, perhaps young drivers driving to school for the first time, taking the bus, walking to school and so on.
“This campaign is a timely reminder that by taking some simply but crucially important steps everyone on or around our roads will be safer.”
RADAR is fully equipped to help children and young people navigate their way safely through life’s challenges which includes being safe on and around roads. The RADAR centres doors are open for visitors. To find out more or to arrange a visit please go to http://www.radarni.co.uk/
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Picture by William Cherry / Press Eye
Road Safety Awareness Campaign
Pictured today at the launch of RADAR’s Back to School Road Safety Awareness Campaign at the RADAR Centre is campaign ambassador and Cool FM breakfast show presenter Pete Snodden with pupils Layla and Hannah Tilson from Whitehead.
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