Local Police will be giving a hard hitting talk to youngsters this week about the dangers young learner drivers face when they get behind the wheel.
The event will be attended by 12 young people from Kibble Education and Care Centre as well as members of the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service and Scottish Ambulance Service.
The Road Safety Awareness Day is to be held at The Experience go-karting arena in Hillington Park, and will also give the youngsters the opportunity to test their racing skills against the highly trained Traffic Division of Police Scotland on the track.
Recent statistics show that road deaths have increased1 in the past year despite a long term trend of a reduction. Drivers and motor cyclists between the age of 17 and 19 are involved in 12% of all of the fatal crashes in the UK, despite being just 1.5% of the licence holders.2
PC Gregor MacPherson from the Community Policing Team in Paisley said:
“We are focussing particularly on younger drivers since we know that they are a vulnerable road user group.
“Many of the young people attending are approaching the age at which they can access a provisional licence for a car or 50cc motorbike.
“There is a serious theme about being safe on the roads, but we also want to make the day entertaining and engaging.
“Having the event at The Experience will reinforce the message that youngsters can have fun with motor vehicles, but only when it is a safe and suitable environment like a go karting arena.
“The chance to race against the Traffic Police and other emergency services will hopefully be an experience the young people will never forget.”
Mark Robertson, Education Manager at Kibble, said: “We are grateful to the 3 emergency services who will be represented on the day. Unfortunately they see the life changing consequences of inexperienced and over confident drivers far too often.
“The aim of the day is to teach the young people in attendance that with the right to drive, there is a responsibility to stay safe. At Kibble we frequently work with partners such as the Police to help prepare our youngsters for adult life. This creative lesson will hopefully stay with them for a long time.”