Cruiser Challenge 'a great success'

News story published: 30 July 2010

Motorists in Great Yarmouth were given a stark reminder about the dangers of irresponsible driving at the weekend as part of a road safety event.

The Cruiser Challenge, held on Marine Parade on Sunday (July 25), was attended by hundreds of people and demonstrated the importance of road safety.

Four volunteers experienced the aftermath of a road traffic incident during a mock collision exercise.

Scratby teenager Georgina Allen volunteered to be a passenger in the mock collision and described the experience of being cut out of a vehicle as “eye-opening”.

The 16-year-old said: “The equipment used to cut the vehicle was really powerful and you could feel the vibrations on the car which was quite scary.

“The police officers and fire fighters were really professional which made it feel all the more real. I think the worst thing was the noise of the cutting equipment and the experience has taught me never to get in a car with an unsafe driver.”

The mock scenario also saw the volunteer driver being arrested for drink-driving and a fearless 14-year-old boy, who had volunteered to be the deceased passenger, being put in a body bag.

The event was organised by Acle Road Policing and Norfolk and Fire Rescue Service and was supported by South Yarmouth Safer Neighbourhood Team, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and St John Ambulance.

A hard-hitting DVD was also shown on the big screens on the seafront demonstrating the serious consequences of dangerous driving.

The Cruiser Challenge is one of a number of initiatives held by road policing officers this year. Officers have taken part in a series of high-profile enforcement evenings on the seafront, focusing on boy racers known locally as ‘jetty boys’, encouraging safe driving and ensuring vehicles are legally modified.

Sgt Adrian Hales, from Acle Road Policing, said: “This event was a great success and while being fun and interactive, it delivered a serious road safety message.

The event was well attended, especially by young drivers, who took time to chat with officers and fire fighters and look at the vehicles used by the emergency services. I was encouraged by all the positive comments made on the day, especially people saying the event really made them think about road safety and the serious consequences when you act irresponsibly on Norfolk’s roads.”

Fire Station Manager Jonathan Wilby said: “I was particularly pleased to see a high number of drivers attend the event as almost half of the people killed or seriously injured on Norfolk’s roads are from the 17 to 25-year-old age group.

“I know several people left the event thinking about their driving habits and even if we save one life it will be worthwhile.”

For further advice on road safety visit www.think.norfolk.gov.uk.