The Isle of Wight Council’s Road Safety Team has recently launched a hard hitting campaign aimed at young drivers as part of its One Island project to highlight road safety issues. The gig and subsequent posters that were displayed around the Island use real examples to reinforce the message that road accidents affect real lives.

Young drivers (ages 17-24) were identified as being high risk for involvement in collisions and fatal accidents. In the last five years, up to June 30, 2007, there have been 27 fatal accidents on the Island, claiming 29 lives, 41 per cent of whom were under 24.

The ‘Don’t Forget’ campaign featured the photos of three young people who died in road traffic accidents on the Island. By highlighting the cases of real people who were known and loved within the community, the road safety message got across very effectively. The image of the faces of these young people was placed on a trailer which was out in towns and villages across the Island during road shows. This was accompanied by posters displayed in various establishments throughout the Island and promotional items such as badges, balloons and glow sticks which were given away. The Road Safety Team is extremely grateful to the families of the parents of Tom, Pasha and Martin for being brave and sharing their tragic experiences.

Click here to view a copy of the campaign poster.

The message of safe driving is also delivered to pupils at all Island High Schools. The Road Safety Team works in partnership with the Fire Service, Police and Paramedics to deliver the ‘Head on’ crash scene extrication to year 10 pupils and the ‘Safe Drive Stay Alive’ theatre show to sixth form students.