Hard-hitting road safety campaign marks 10 years

A theatre production which educates teenagers on the causes and consequences of road traffic collisions is marking its tenth year.

Licence to Kill? was first launched in 2007 as part of a road safety initiative between Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Kent County Council, Medway Council, the South East Coast Ambulance Service and the Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership.

Since then over 65,000 pupils aged between 16 and 19 years old have attended its annual shows, which travel across the county.

It marked its 10 year anniversary with a performance at Mote Park Leisure Centre, in Willow Way, Maidstone, on Wednesday 8 November 2017.

These shows consist of a film and live talks from emergency service personnel and those who have suffered personal tragedies due to collisions.

Between 2014 and 2016 around 27% of 109 fatal collisions on Kent roads involved a driver aged between 17 and 24.

Further to this, they were involved in a total of 1,781 collisions where a person was either killed or seriously injured. In collisions where any kind of injury was reported, this number rises to 18,224.

Inspector Samantha Pearson, from Kent Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said: ‘Over the past 10 years a lot of brilliant work has been done as part of this production and we are as proud to support it today as we were when it started.

‘Education is a hugely important way of changing young people’s attitudes towards road safety.

‘While most drive in full accordance of the law, a tragic minority are killed or seriously injured on our roads – something that we are keen to prevent.

‘Going behind the wheel of a car is a huge responsibility and not something we can allow ourselves to be complacent with – speeding, using a mobile phone, not wearing a seat belt or driving under the influence of drink and drugs places other road users at significant risk of harm.’

Mark Rist, area manager for Kent Fire and Rescue Service, said: ‘Licence to Kill delivers hard-hitting content, aimed at helping young drivers keep themselves and other road users safe on the road.

‘It is designed to hit home the potentially devastating impact that a split second decision can have on their lives. We want all young drivers to think carefully about the choices they make behind the wheel and hope that Licence to Kill will have a positive impact on their behaviour.’

Denise Collett, a paramedic from the South East Coast Ambulance Service, said: ‘The Licence to Kill events are extremely hard-hitting and always prove extremely popular.

‘I’m pleased to continue to be involved in such an important campaign carrying such important messages to young people across the region.

‘The feedback is always very positive and I know that many will benefit from this latest round of events.’

Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Transport Matthew Balfour said: ‘The idea behind ‘Licence to Kill?’ is outstanding.

‘This award-winning piece of theatre and film provides hard-hitting and emotionally-demanding eyewitness accounts directly to tens of thousands young people across the county every year.

‘It helps them understand as clearly as possible the life-changing and sometimes fatal consequences of poor decisions while driving.’

Cllr Phil Filmer, the portfolio holder in charge of road safety at Medway Council, said: ‘This award winning road safety intervention reminds our future road users of the huge responsibility they have every time they get into a car, either as a passenger or driver.

‘We are extremely thankful to the speakers that give their time to help educate young people. The fact they share their own real life accounts of what they have gone through and continue to endure, means our young audience is exposed to the heart-breaking, irreversible consequences they could face if they underestimate or mistreat their responsibilities in a car.

‘I am pleased that all Medway secondary sixth forms and colleges are offered the intervention, in the hope we can stop future tragedy.’