Last updated 12:53, Friday, 21 November 2008

A GRAPHIC crash simulation has been used to enforce road safety among the most vulnerable road users, reports JO DAVIES

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CRASH: Firefighter Pete Clives, left, assists Paul Fones (Casualties Union, Furness branch) during a crash simulation at Barrow Fire Station REF: 0458836

ASIDE from the blood spattered bonnet, the sight of the splintered windscreen shattered by the impact of the motorcyclist’s head is enough to turn any stomach.

The horrific scene, enacted by members of Barrow Casualties Union and Barrow Fire and Rescue Service, is a deliberate ploy to shock teen riders who are among the most vulnerable road users.

The simulation jarred with some of the students standing feet away.

PC Paul Mitchell, officer for Hindpool, said: “It’s surprising the number of students we’ve spoken to over the past week who have come off already.”

Statistics support their experience.

Ten per cent of all accidents in Barrow in the last year have involved a small-engined motorcycle.

Of the 16 motorcycle accidents in Barrow, 13 resulted in slight injury.

“Those slightly injured in accidents is actually the hardest figure to try and tackle,” said Jon Griffiths, station manager of community safety at Barrow Fire and Rescue.

“We’ve had a massive success through CRASH (Casualty Reduction and Safer Highways) reducing the numbers killed or seriously injured.

“We are hoping to have a similar success in tackling those with slight injuries. It’s like an iceberg effect.

“If we can educate those in the slight injury group it will hopefully impact further in reducing more serious accidents.

“I think it got the message across really well because of the graphic nature.”

Members of the emergency services joined representatives from Connexions, motorbike dealer Crooks Suzuki and road safety groups at Furness College last week to promote the road safety event and, more importantly, reach their target audience.

It wasn’t a campaign to crackdown on young motorcyclists, but more an exercise to hammer home how vulnerable they can be.

There are riders who deliberately court danger, but PC Mitchell said there are also those who really pay attention.

The officer has a vested interest in encouraging students to think about bike safety because many of the accidents happen in his designated policing patch.

“You can never stop accidents, you can only give advice and hope they’re sensible enough to use protective clothing,” said PC Mitchell.

“They’ve got to understand the roads are getting busier and busier. If they look far enough ahead with regards to vehicles they can anticipate what might happen.

“We’re trying to encourage them to be more mindful of other road users.

“I always encourage them to use high visibility clothing and use lights on their motorbikes even during the day.”

Lynne Crooks, director of Crooks Suzuki in Crellin Street, Barrow, has been offering the students a 10 per cent discount on protective clothing.

“Clothing can be fashionable as well as functional,” said Mrs Crooks.

“We know that budgets are often tight and we try to do affordable clothing and clothing that they will wear, like jeans with Kevlar protection.

“If there’s one essential item of clothing, other than a helmet, we always say wear a jacket.

“It’s not going to be the ultimate defence but it’s better than a tracksuit top.

“And wear denim jeans as oppose to tracksuit bottoms. It buys you that bit of time if you’re skidding.

“We’ve been in college every day and if we just get the message across to a couple of them then that’s the main thing.”

The simulation made an impact on BAE apprentice, Josh Phifer, of Friars Path, Barrow, who rides a 50cc bike.

His friend suffered whiplash in a motorcycle accident this week.

The trainee mechanical fitter said: “I thought it was very effective when it was acted out.

“It seemed like you were there. It’s not always the rider’s fault.

“Sometimes cars don’t see them.”

Grace Thompson, 17, from Millom, who is also a trainee mechanical fitter, said: “I thought it was good. It should make people more wary on the roads.”

Furness College would like to work with Barrow Fire and Rescue Service to promote further road safety initiatives in the future.

Learning Enrichment Coordinator at the Channelside college, Karen Turner, said: “We’ve had students from 14 to 17 attend. We’ve had some positive feedback. We’ve started with this and can see where it can go.

“If we do it more regularly we can access more students.”