Year seven students targetted by hard-hitting production
Students in their first year at secondary school are being targeted by a hard-hitting production that is touring the borough next week to promote road safety.
A specially commissioned production called “The Price” will be performed at seven secondary schools to encourage children to take responsibility for their own safety and to look out for friends when crossing the road.
It also brings home the hard-hitting fact that not being responsible, and trying to look cool in front of friends, can lead to tragedy.
Suresh Kamath, director of street management and public protection at Hounslow Council, said "This production presents the subject of road safety in a gripping way that children can relate to, and encourages them to learn that with independence comes responsibility for their own safety.
“Every year, we see a rise in the number of accidents among children who move from primary to secondary school, often because these children have been given the independence to make their own way to their new school.
“But if these children aren’t used to travelling by themselves they won’t have the safety skills that those who are used to making the trip to school by themselves have.
“We are teaching them that they need to look out for themselves and their friends when crossing the road and resist peer pressure to take risks or show off in front of others."
Hounslow Council also runs a number of schemes and campaigns to promote road safety to pedestrians and cyclists in the local community. These include:
· School Travel Plans
· Cycle training
· Pedestrian skills training
· In car safety
· Motorcycle safety
For more information on road safety visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/road_safety
September 19, 2006