Young drivers shown speed dangers
POLICE took to the streets of Bishop Auckland this week to show young drivers the dangers of driving fast.
Tackling anti-social young drivers, often referred to as boy racers, is one of the top priorities for police in the town centre and this week they set up shop at North Bondgate car park to meet the young car enthusiasts.
The operation was put together by the local neighbourhood team after it was revealed the highest percentage of accidents involve young drivers and are often at night.
PCSO Kimberley Rantoul said: “Anti-social use includes things like playing loud music, speeding through streets, sound the horn or having loud engines. We want to differentiate between safe sensible young drivers of which there are plenty and those known as boy racers. We get drivers from all over the region coming here to meet up and drive through the town and we just want them to have consideration for the safety of others and the peace of local residents.
Last time we did it, it went really well and the drivers were even texting their mates to get them along. This isn’t us having a go or persecuting them, this us working with them to improve road safety.” The police used a crash simulator so the drivers could feel the impact of a collision at 5mph and the fire service demonstrated how they cut a person out of a crashed car which was provided by Chilton Autobreaker.
The young drivers were also shown an educational video organised by A1 services and road safety staff from the county council and officials from the Vehicle and Operators Safety Agency (VOSA) also talked with the drivers.
Neighbourhood Inspector Martin Peace said: “The operation covers both education and enforcement, but also with the courses on offer we are trying to engineer better drivers on our roads.
“While the gatherings have understandably led to complaints, we believe the majority who attend genuinely mean no harm. We plan to be firm with those who are causing problems, and at the same time give every encouragement to young drivers who are prepared to listen and learn.”