Thousands of Schoolchildren Attend Safe Drive Stay Alive Event in Surrey

Toyota GB is proud to be one of the sponsors of a major road safety initiative that’s helped thousands of Surrey school students learn the facts about safe driving. Safe Drive Stay Alive, which takes place between 30 October-9 November, aims to make young people think about their attitudes and behaviour, both as drivers and passengers, and help reduce the risk of them being involved in an accident.

Safe Drive Stay Alive is a partnership between Surrey’s emergency services, led by Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and volunteer members of the public who have been affected by a fatal or serious road traffic accident. Safe Drive Stay Alive, sponsored by local businesses including Toyota (GB) PLC, Kier and Exxon Mobil, promotes road safety among young drivers, making them aware of their responsibilities as drivers and the dangers of careless driving.

The event has welcomed more than 150,000 visitors since it first took place in 2005.

Toyota GB has been a sponsor since 2012, donating to help fund The Young Driver’s Guide which is distributed to everyone who takes part in Surrey. It has also donated a RAV4 SUV to the Surrey Police Events Team for use as a support vehicle. Teachers and students also receive back-up material, including copies of the guide, to help keep the safety message in mind after they have taken part in the live events.

The event format includes personal testimonies from emergency services workers and people who have been involved in road accidents themselves, or have experienced close family or friends being injured or killed. These real-life stories have a strong impact on audiences and impress on young people their responsibility for road safety.

The number of young drivers who are killed or seriously injured is disproportionately high. On average, one in four deaths on the road are drivers aged between 17 and 24. Young drivers are more likely to be involved in a crash because of inexperience, lack of knowledge and sometimes irresponsibility.

Daniel Guyte, Woking College’s 2018 Head of Year 12, said: “A huge thank you to all the volunteers who always do such a fantastic job of delivering such a powerful message. I know this will be the topic of conversation for days to come, which really shows how much of an impact it has on our students.”

Toyota’s Top Ten Tips for Young Drivers:

• Put your phone on silent and out of sight
• Take breaks – tiredness can kill
• Don’t drink and drive and remember you could still be over the limit on the morning after
• If you don’t feel comfortable with someone’s driving, don’t feel pressured to stay in the car
• Always think about the road conditions and drive accordingly
• Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by your passengers or music
• Respect other road users by keeping a safe distance
• Always wear your seatbelt, no matter how short the journey
• Adhere to the speed limit
• Pay attention to road signs

Next year’s event will take place from 4 to 14 November. For further information, visit www.safedrivesurrey.org

ENDS

Note to editors : Hosted by Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and supported by The Police & Crime Commissioner for Surrey, ExxonMobil, Kier Services, esure and Sheila’s Wheels, AVMI, The High Sheriff Youth  Awards, Toyota (GB) PLC, Surrey Education Trust, Highways England, Surrey community safety partnerships, Surrey parish, town and village councils, Mole Valley District Council and Surrey County Council.