News Release

Issued: 27.01.09
At: 0930
For immediate release

Wasted Road Show Tour Kicks Off

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service invites you to the launch of the Wasted Road Show aimed at raising awareness to students about the consequences of dangerous driving. Members of the media are invited to attend the Peepul Centre, Leicester on Wednesday 4 February 2009 at 10am.

The event will be officially opened by Dave Webb, Chief Fire and Rescue Officer for Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service. The live demonstration, that has been set up in partnership between Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, Leicestershire Constabulary, East Midlands Ambulance Service and Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Road Safety Partnership, uses professional actors to reenact a Road Traffic Collision (RTC).

To add to the impact, the show is based upon a real life incident which occurred in May 2006 in Groby, Leicestershire. The RTC took the life of one of the passengers involved, a second passenger lost the use of their arm and the driver was prosecuted and sentenced to prison.

The Wasted Road Show aims to reach around 8,500 sixth form students in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland through several shows taking place around the county. The show will be recorded to produce an educational DVD to be used as a tool to aid RTC prevention.

Alan Fawkner, Southern Fire and Rescue Station Manager, said:

“Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service have attended 842 road traffic collisions in the past year, this equates to more than two a day. We hope that by reaching out to young people and showing them the effects of a collision we hope to encourage them to drive safely to prevent such events occurring.

The show is aimed at this specific age group as 29% of motor vehicle 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.

I urge people to never drink and drive, always obey the speed limits and always wear a seat belt whilst driving.”

ENDS

Notes to News Desk

Members of the media are invited to attend the Wasted Road Show at 10am
on Wednesday 4 February 2009 at the Peepul Centre, Belgrave Baheno
Peepul Centre Venue, Orchardson Avenue, Leicester, LE4 6DP.

PLEASE CALL TO CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE.

Interview and Photo Opportunities

Dave Webb, Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, and Alan Fawkner, Southern
Station Manager, are both available for interview on the day.

Photographs can be taken throughout the show, which reenacts
the events of an RTC, on the day.

We may be able to supply photographs, please contact us on the number
below for more information.

Wasted Road Show Dates

4-8 February 2009 Peepul Centre, Leicester
10 February 2009 Uppingham Theatre
11 February 2009 Loughborough Town Hall
12 February 2009 Leicester College
13 February 2009 Wyggeston Queen Elizabeth I College

Visit www.wastedroadshow.com for further information about the wasted road show, click here

Contact Information

For more information please contact:

Corporate Communications
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service
Tel 0116 287 2241