20 "Fixers" and more than 50 guests attended the ‘Fixers’ Road Savvy Forum’ in Westminster on 4 September which brought together young people, politicians and road safety experts to discuss road safety.
Fixers from across the nation participated in a morning workshop session, brainstorming ways to improve the safety of young people on the roads. The findings will be presented to the government in the form of a ‘Fixers’ Green Paper’.
In the afternoon, a panel of five Fixers used the ideas generated to answer questions from an audience of politicians and road safety advocates. The discussion was hosted by ITV presenter Nina Hossain.
Jordan Bone (23) from Kings Lynn, who was paralysed at 15 in a car crash after accepting a lift from a newly-qualified driver, said: "My message to the government is, listen to young people, have young people go into schools and talk about their experiences with driving or with the accidents that they’ve had, to make an impact on others."
Abi Phillips (18), whose sister was killed in a car crash, added: "When you hear about crashes, you don’t hear much about mechanical problems being the cause. You hear about distractions. That’s why the education provided about road safety needs to be more hard-hitting.
"I also think things relating to road safety need to be made cool. It’s much cooler to be safe than to die."
Stephen Hammond, transport minister, was the first guest to put a question to the Fixer panel.
Mr Hammond said: "In the UK we have some of the safest roads for young people, but they need to be a lot safer. It’s a mixture of the excitement for young people getting in a car, making sure they understand the hazards of doing so, and putting in place the right restrictions, and then making sure that young people appreciate why those restrictions are there."
TV presenter and motoring expert Quentin Willson also supported the event, said: "The Fixers’ campaign is really important. I’m 150% behind what Fixers are doing and think it’s great."
We attended this event and it was fantastic. There were a lot of ‘key players’ from Road Safety there and so inspiring listening to the 20 “Fixers”. We’re definitely keeping in touch with Fixers and look forward to their Fixers’ Green Paper.
Mike, from don’t be that someone
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