#Impact makes whirlwind tour of the county
A campaign aimed at educating young drivers about road safety is on a whirlwind tour of the county this week with visits to three different schools and colleges.The #Impact campaign was launched by Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner Lorne Green in mid-November 2016 in a bid to highlight the issue.
Since this date, more than 1,800 students, at 12 venues, have been reached through the initiative and this afternoon (Wednesday 22 March) #Impact will move to Fakenham College to spread the message.
The initiative is being spearheaded by Thomas Semmons, 19, who will speak to students about his personal experience of being involved in a serious road collision.
During his election campaign, Lorne made a pledge to tackle road safety, and that pledge has now been built into the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan for the county.
“I take very seriously the pledge I have made to do all I can to prevent young people from being seriously injured or killed on our roads,” said Lorne.
“Thomas is a perfect ambassador for the #Impact campaign and I am very happy that he has agreed to continue to share his experience and talk to young people about the dangers of the fatal four, whether it be drink and drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone or excess speeding.”
The initiative will move on to East Norfolk Sixth Form College tomorrow (Thursday 23 March) and King Edward VII Academy on Friday (24 March).
Craig Morrison, Principal at King Edward VII Academy, said: “I commend the #IMPACT campaign and the work that the Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner has done so far on educating young drivers about road safety.
“Demonstrations such as this are designed to make young people think twice about their behaviour behind the wheel and so, as an Academy, we support anything that can help raise awareness of the dangers.”
The campaign is actively supported by Norfolk Constabulary, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service and the East of England Ambulance Service.
Each event will include:
- A presentation from Thomas Semmons who survived an RTC and whose car will be on display on the day.
- A presentation from Norfolk’s Roads Policing Team on the Fatal 4.
- A practical demonstration of cutting someone out of a wrecked vehicle.