Every year South Yorkshire firefighters are called to the scene of hundreds of road traffic collisions (RTC's). Many of these incidents involve young drivers and their passengers, and unfortunately statistics show 17 – 24 year-old's are most at risk of being killed or injured on the region's roads. 29 per cent of drivers killed in collisions are under the age of 25, and one in five of new drivers are involved in a collision within their first year of driving.

Promoting safe driving and raising the awareness of young drivers is a top priority for SYFR. We run a range of road safety initiatives for young people across South Yorkshire, to help reduce the number of people being injured or killed on the roads.

'Head-On'

The Head-On programme follows a similar format to the LIFE courses, but focuses on RTC reduction. Young people aged 15 and over, all of whom have been referred by local Youth Offending Teams, are given first-hand experience of the consequences of dangerous driving. Firefighters show the participants how to use extrication equipment, and the youngsters experience what it is like to be cut out of a car that has been involved in an accident.

RTC Roadshow

The RTC Roadshow, staged in schools and colleges around South Yorkshire, sees victims of road traffic collisions and members of the emergency services recount their experience of tragedy on the roads. Students also hear from a man sent to prison for causing the death of a young mum during a crash in South Yorkshire.

This hard-hitting and emotional event is the work of South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, South Yorkshire Police and the Yorkshire Ambulance Trust.

Drive 4 Life

As one of the partners in the South Yorkshire Casualty Reduction Partnership, SYFR are involved with the Drive 4 Life programme which invites 17-24 year old learner drivers to undergo road safety training.

The free two-hour interactive programme is designed to provide information that will enable drivers to make sensible and safe decisions when out on the roads.

The programme covers issues such as having the correct documentation, speeding, drink and drug driving, wearing seatbelts and distractions.

Cut-it-Out

Cut-it-Out is a multi-agency event, which stages a Road Traffic Collision (RTC) reconstruction. Members of the public are able to see how each of the emergency services deals with rescuing casualties from a crashed vehicle. Firefighters provide a running commentary to describe each stage of the rescue, incorporating advice on the dangers of speeding, the dangers of drink and drug driving and why seatbelts should be worn.

Crash Investigation Project

The Crash Investigation Project is delivered to Year 10 or 11 groups in schools, Young Offenders' Institutions and to other groups of young people identified as being able to benefit from the project.

The project is a hard-hitting, graphic, interactive presentation that challenges attitudes and behaviour from the perspective of the emergency services, the victims and their families and the perceptions of young drivers. It focuses on the dangers of speeding and the consequences of irresponsible actions on the roads