The "very real outcomes" of reckless driving

Wednesday 21 October 2020

The dangerous consequences of reckless driving are being demonstrated to more than 400 Year 11 students this week, in an attempt to encourage them to drive safely.

Licence to Kill is presented by staff from Guernsey Police, the Guernsey Fire & Rescue Service and St John Ambulance at the Performing Arts Centre.

"Each driver has a responsibility to themselves, their passengers and other road users to be responsible," said Roads Policing Unit Officer, Matthew Du Port. "Driving dangerously, recklessly or while under the influence of drink or drugs can have life changing or even life ending effects. It's just not worth it and moments of stupidity can have consequences that will ripple through the entire community for years.

Pictured: Gavin Robins, Dean Robilliard, Kelly Marquis and Jim Cathcart. 

"This presentation is unapologetically impactive. No one is invincible and it's beyond important that every single time they are drivers or passengers they remember what we have told them."

Firefighter, Gavin Robins added: "This presentation is designed with one purpose: show people the consequences. We hope this is as close as they will ever get to being involved in a road traffic collision.

"It isn't fun, cool or impressive to drive without regard for yourself or for others. What we have shown them is the very real outcomes of a decision to not take road safety seriously. The dangers are real and they can and do happen here, but we hope that by doing this presentation we've done everything possible to make sure it doesn't." 

The event is held annually for students who may soon be taking to the roads in cars, while some already ride motorbikes.

"As ambulance staff, we regularly attend collisions involving cars or motorbikes on Guernsey's roads where people get hurt," said St John Emergency Ambulance Service Paramedic, Dean Robilliard. "In some cases, people can suffer serious or life changing injuries and sadly sometimes fatal injuries.

"I hope that by making young people aware of the consequences of the choices they make when they get into a car or on a motorbike, we can help them to avoid getting hurt or causing harm through their actions.

Pictured: Representatives from all of the blue light services present Licence to Kill.

"The messages from this presentation are simple. Don't drink and drive and don't get into a car with a drink driver. Don't be tempted to speed or show off when you're behind the wheel. Wear your seatbelt and don't be distracted by phone calls or text messages when you're driving."

Pictured top: A replicated car crash which students are shown at the end of the presentation.