Students from a college in Crawley experienced driving in a simulator and practised car safety checks during a visit by Colas and West Sussex Fire and Rescue last week.
The experience was designed to highlight the importance of road safety to pupils from Thomas Bennett Community College by engaging them through a mix of theory and a practical session.
Highlighting Colas’ commitment to developing ‘safe drivers of the future’, the visit formed part of the college’s ‘Inspiring Futures Day’.
Colas’ environmental adviser James Backshall got ‘down to basics’ with Year 9 students, taking about the importance of carrying out vehicle checks and providing them with an opportunity to get hands-on to identify problems.
Using a simulator and special goggles, students were also able to experience the visual impairment caused by the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Colas has close ties with Road Safety GB as the long-term sponsor of the Road Safety Knowledge Centre since its inception in 2010, as well as the National Road Safety Conference for the past six years.
It also has a long-term partnership with Thomas Bennett Community College which has resulted in a wide-range of activities linked to careers, apprenticeships and work experience placements.
Lee Rushbrooke, Colas’ chief executive, said: “Health and safety is our number one priority and our Safer Attitudes in Driving (SAID+) strategy is an award winning annual training programme designed to improve the safety of staff whenever they are driving.
“As part of our commitment to sharing knowledge with the local community, it’s great to have this sort of opportunity to talk with students to help prepare them to be safe road and car users.”
Carole Lawless, assistant headteacher at the college, added: “Our partnership with Colas has led to a variety of projects over the past four years.
“Colas’ involvement in the school’s first ‘Inspiring Futures’ Day was in the form of a set of activities to raise students awareness of the responsibilities they will take on when they become the next generation of young drivers. Students were learning life lessons and having fun.”
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