Prison! Me! No Way!!! is launching a new road safety campaign, named "Arrive, Alive" to help raise awareness of the risks around speeding, using mobile devices whilst driving and lift sharing.
The intention of the multi-partner campaign is to keep people safe by asking them to think about the consequences of their actions - not only for them, but for others.
Prison! Me! No Way!!! has partnered with the Police, the Emergency Services as well as Liberty Bus and Roberts Garage for the campaign. Their aim is to get "...everyone talking about safer journeys and to equip individuals with coping strategies they need to be safer on our roads."
Lesley Harrison, Chairman of Prison! Me! No Way!!!, said: “The work we undertake in our partnership in order to educate young people about ‘choices and consequences’ is designed to be relevant and topical and address areas of concern in our small community. Speeding, using hand held devices to text or take/make a call, along with the risks involved in lift sharing are our focus at present.
"The intention is to help keep everyone safe by creating awareness to some of the potentially life changing outcomes that can arise and encourage young people and adults alike to please recognise they must take responsibility when getting behind the wheel and consider the implications of decisions they make.”
Pictured: One of the posters for the 'Arrive Alive' campaign.
The campaign which is aimed at all road users, not just young people, includes a new website, and a dedicated livery on Liberty Bus and Emergency Service Vehicles. Posters will be displayed in schools, in Parish Halls as well as Roberts Garage forecourts. A locally produced video featuring young actors from the island will also be released and supported with lessons in the classroom in every secondary school in Jersey starting from September.
The campaign also has the support of Jersey racer Struan Moore as its ambassador. The 22-year-old, who lived in London for five years and has driven in the busiest cities, says: "These days, I look out for people on the road, I enjoy driving and I treat it with respect every day. If you want to drive fast then there are controlled situations and events which allow you to do so.
"Please remind yourself to be calm in stressful road situations. I’d never want any passenger in my car to feel unsafe. I can tell you now, you’re never going to be a hero on the roads, but you could be one once you’ve reached from A to B.”
James Wileman, Superintendent at States of Jersey Police, said: “We are pleased to be able to support the Arrive Alive campaign. Together the Islands’ Services and Prison! Me! No Way!!! continue to deliver a message to young people about the impact that their choices can have as they grow up, and very much includes those they make whilst behind the wheel.
"Sadly we see all too often, the impact that road collisions can have on our community and we must all work together to try and prevent that from happening.”
The launch follows the trial of 39-year-old Rebekah Le Gal for "causing death by dangerous driving." The driver killed three-year-old Clinton Pringle after running him over in the shared-space are of Tunnell Street on 27 June. She was acquitted by the Royal Court but was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, last Thursday for the alternative charge of "causing death by careless driving." Mrs Le Gal admitted to texting whilst behind the wheel but said she had done so at least 25 seconds before fatally hitting Clinton.
Following her sentence, the Police said the case demonstrated the "ultimate consequence of drivers not paying attention." They added that the 'Arrive Alive' campaign would "add additional focus and help to remind everyone that using a mobile phone whilst driving is dangerous and can prove fatal."
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