'˜Just one Life' safer driving message for Lurgan students

Core funding for the event was provided by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) who also provided assistance in organising the exercise.

PCSP Chair, Councillor Julie Flaherty, said: “We were delighted to fund this event as young road-users are most at risk of killing or seriously injuring themselves or others on our roads.

“It is therefore so important to take the opportunity to educate young people who have just reached the age of learning to drive.

“The hard-hitting messages provided in this event will hopefully stay with the young people as they learn to drive.”

The event aimed to take a proactive approach to local concerns about recent accidents on roads across the ABC Borough.

On opening the event and welcoming everyone to Craigavon Civic Centre, Deputy Mayor, Councillor Paul Greenfield said:, “The well-being of the young people living in our borough is of the utmost importance to us and we want to support anything which promotes their safety.”

The event did not shy away from giving a vivid illustration of the aftermath of dangerous driving, with graphic presentations provided by the Ambulance Service, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and PSNI.

The message was brought to life through a demonstration.

Four pupils acted as victims of a crash trapped in a car which was cut open by the NIFRS.

The message hit home when one of the actors was declared ‘dead’ and put in a body bag, the reality of the consequences of careless driving.