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News

New Model Demonstrates Car Safety for Poole Schools

Following on from last years promotional ‘Belt Up’ bookmarks, Poole’s Road Safety Officer decided to bring the issue closer to home with a model demonstration of what happens when seatbelts are not worn.

To help raise awareness during National School Transport week, Haymoor Middle School with the help of Borough of Poole Transportation Services, ran a spot seatbelt check monitoring how many children travelling to school actually wore seatbelts.

A survey of all children coming to school by car was carried out and the results showed that at the beginning of the week a third of children were not restrained. In response to this the school held an assembly to make clear the dangers of being seriously or fatally injured when not using seatbelts. A further survey was carried out at the end of the week and still around a third of children were not being restrained on their journey to school.

It is these figures that prompted the Borough of Poole to invest in a new high tech model of a car going down a ramp and braking at high speed. The model figures can be seat belted in or not and the effects of both, upon impact, can visibly be seen.

Councillor Ron Parker, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Local Economy, said: "I am disappointed by this figure especially after a particular focus was placed upon the risks of not wearing a seatbelt. Advertisements are continually run showing horrific outcomes of road traffic accidents but we still need to do more to protect ourselves and our children from unnecessary harm. The Road Safety Team work continually with schools and the local community to bring about a greater understanding of this issue and I applaud them for their efforts."

Lesley Hart, Road Safety Officer, Transportation Services, Borough of Poole, said: "Every year we carry out surveys of children travelling to school. On average, of the 16 schools that were counted this year, 32% of the children were unbelted. Despite a 4% decrease from last year the figure is still too high. This is the first time we have used this new model and we really hope that by the children actually seeing the visual effects and the difference between wearing a seatbelt and not wearing a seatbelt, that it will dramatically improve awareness and a more determined responsibility to look after themselves and others in the car."

A follow up seat belt check will be carried out to assess the impact that the demonstration model had on the school children.

Lesley Hart, Road Safety Officer, Transportation Services, Borough of Poole, Tel: 01202 262 065