Covid-19 changes to Wiltshire's Safe Drive Stay Alive campaign

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue (DWFRS) normally goes out to secondary schools and colleges locally each Autumn Term to teach teenagers about the dangers and consequences of road traffic collisions.

But with the Covid-19 restrictions in place, the hard-hitting presentations and real life testimonies have gone digital - with online streaming and recorded videos instead.

The 'roadshow' still included input from people like emergency services who have been to the scene of a crash, bereaved parents and others directly involved in collisions.

DWFRS are also providing teachers with additional resources and discussion topics to go alongside the presentation.

The Fire Service say that will 'help embed learning and incentivise students with the goals they can achieve when good choices are made as a driver or passenger'.

Three schools have already used the online version presentation, including Burgate in Fordingbridge.

Even though the school is in Hampshire, they've been included as a number of their students leave in Wiltshire, and they've taken part in the programme for many years.

Another 30 schools are booked in so far, aimed at pupils in Years 11 to 13.

Road safety manager Christine Sharma said:

"Safe Drive Stay Alive normally has speakers telling their stories in front of the students - these are real people who have experienced the horror of road traffic collisions, whether as a member of the emergency services, as a victim or as a parent who has lost a child. As soon as we knew that live shows wouldn't be possible for this school year, we moved to an on-line format - our brave speakers and volunteers have kindly recorded their accounts to avoid technical issues, and some additional digital resources have been added to make the presentation flow.

"Before going out to schools, we trialled the show with our own staff, colleagues from partner agencies within Wiltshire & Swindon Road Safety Partnership and Dorset Road Safe, and our sponsors. This helped us hugely and we will continue to refine the delivery based on the feedback we receive. The launch shows went really well, and we're delighted with the response - more dates are being made available for the Spring term and we're hopeful of reaching as many students as we have previously."

The changes to the Safe Drive Stay Alive scheme have gone down well with the schools too - who understand things had to be different due to the pandemic.

One teacher who contacted organisers at DWFRS after the show said:

"Thank you so much, the initial feedback from staff and students is that the virtual sessions were still as impactful as the live show and were very well received."

Shows for schools can be booked by emailing christine.sharma@dwfire.org.uk

There are also corporate shows available for businesses, through the same contacts.