Stirling effort for crash course

Staffordshire's Crash Course initiative has been supported by former Formula 1 drivers, Stirling Moss and Tony Brooks.

The Crash Course team went down to London last week to deliver their presentation to workers from the emergency services and Transport for London.

Stirling Moss said: "I'm really glad I came, it was brilliant – it shouldn't just be going out in Staffordshire, it should be going out across the country."

Colette Bennett, Crash Course co-ordinator, said: "This was a fantastic session, the attendees were really impressed by Crash – they'd never seen anything quite like it before and the feedback they gave us was great.

"And to have Stirling Moss and Tony Brooks there as well was a bonus."

Crash Course is a graphic and emotional presentation which illustrates the consequences of dangerous driving.

Up until recently Crash has been targeted at Year 11 pupils in Staffordshire, however requests have been coming in from across the country.

It is a partnership initiative with Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Youth Services, Victim Support and the Staffordshire Coroner.

The initiative is funded through Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

Since it started in April 2006, more than 18,000 young people have now seen the presentation.

The aim of Crash Course is to change attitudes and behaviour by delivering a sustainable message that raises awareness of the horrors and destruction created by serious and fatal road traffic collisions.

The presentation includes footage of firefighters trying to release the body of a trapped fatality from a vehicle, an interview with a prisoner who has been found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving and a youth worker who has personal experience of being the passenger in a car crash, which caused her horrific facial injuries.