Students shaken by road safety campaign

Jo was among 250 students who attended this year's Safe Drive Stay Alive presentation.

Tuesday's event was staged by West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service to emphasise the dangers of reckless and thoughtless driving. Felpham Community College pupil Jo (17) is ten weeks into learning to drive her Ford Fiesta.

She said: 'The presentation was really upsetting and emotive. It was really serious and made you think about driving. I've never known anyone who has been in a crash and I've been quite relaxed when I've been driving.

'But that's all changed now. This show has really scared me.'

St Philip Howard Catholic High School pupil Megan Penny (16) said: 'The show had a real impact on me. It was really devastating but it's true. It has changed the way I look at driving.'

Fellow 16-year-old Mehir Rahman, of Bognor Regis Community College, said: 'It was very powerful. I hope to start driving next year and this has made me realise the consequences of accidents.

'I'm already paranoid about putting on a seatbelt when I get into a car.'

One upset student had to be led away from the presentation held in the Reds venue at Butlins.

The previous day saw two students faint when the show was held in Worthing.

The fire and rescue service's head of community fire and road safety Roger Wood said: 'Vehicles are safe all the time we are not in them.

'It's only when people start to drive and take a drink or some drugs that they become lethal weapons. Take heed. Don't let the precious gift of life you have got now end as just a bunch of flowers at the side of the road.'

The event featured graphic films about crashes as well as first-hand accounts about coping with the aftermath of a collision.

An A and E nurse, a firefighter, a paramedic and a policeman were among those who spoke of dealing with fatalities and casualties on local roads.

Road traffic accident survivor Spencer Aston (19), from Kent, spoke about how being badly injured in a crash changed his life for the worse '“ from county rugby player to a brain-damaged person who can only walk with a stick.

Selsey mother Georgina Dey told about having two sons '“ Barry (29) and Tim (32) '“ killed in two separate crashes about seven years ago. 'I just like to take part to stop the students going through what my family are going through,' she explained afterwards.

'We don't have Christmas any more. We don't have birthday parties any more.

'If I can stop anyone here having a serious crash in a car, it will be a good thing.'