Ambassadors sought to promote road safety at Essex schools

Road Safety Ambassadors are being appointed at schools across Essex, as part of an ongoing initiative to spread road safety messages among students.

Statistics show that young drivers/riders have the highest collision rates of all road users in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock.

To help combat this, the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP) is encouraging educational establishments to appoint Road Safety Ambassadors to promote road safety to their peers.

SERP is asking the Ambassadors, who volunteer for the role, to support its year-round programme of activities including: ‘Surround a Town’ days; a powered two wheeler campaign with the opportunity to win a bike; the #My Small Change campaign which offers the opportunity to win a car; Project EDWARD 2018; and other campaigns to combat speeding, mobile phone use and drink and drug driving.

Nicola Foster, chair of SERP, said:

“The Ambassador programme gives young people the opportunity to use their imagination to produce posters, banners or videos that can be uploaded and shared online to inspire each other.

“We encourage our volunteers to spread the word through displays and write ups in school newsletters, by running poster/poetry competitions and taking an assembly.

“Other ideas include having an information stand at a parents’ evening, displaying road safety information on interactive screens around schools and on the school website or social media channels.”

Ambassadors are provided with full support from SERP and also receive a badge and information pack to get them started.

For more information about the Road Safety Ambassador role – enquiries welcome from teaching staff and students – contact Donna Bond. 

11 May 2018