Hard-hitting 'traffic collisions' film unveiled » Communities » 24dash.com

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has introduced a pioneering education film which aims to hit home to young people the seriousness of road traffic collisions.

Written and directed by KFRS staff, ‘Rush’ – a short film – tells the tragic story of how five teenagers celebrating their last day of school, and a young couple bringing their newborn baby home from hospital, come to collide on a Kent road one fateful afternoon.

By showing the horrific aftermath, this short film aims to educate young people on the potentially fatal consequences of being involved in a serious road traffic collision to themselves and to other road users.

Rush will be delivered by KFRS’s education team in all Kent and Medway secondary schools from September 2007 as a new addition to Key Stage 4 education programme.

The film breaks away from the traditional approach to education films, using movie-style visual techniques, modern music and shocking graphic images to capture the attention of young people.

Bryan Cope, Chairman of the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority, said: “This production marks an important step forward in our approach to educating young drivers and passengers to be responsible for their own and others’ safety while driving. It is yet another great example of the innovative work being carried out by Kent Fire and Rescue Service to reduce deaths and casualties on Kent’s roads.”

Chief Fire Officer, Charlie Hendry, said: “Rush builds on the successes achieved with the award-winning film, Elements, already part the Key Stage 4 education programme. Kent Fire and Rescue Service currently leads the way in it’s field in producing material that really strikes a chord with young people on serious issues as road traffic collisions, arson and antisocial behaviour.

“Our approach is unique in many ways because of its involvement of young people in all stages of the film, including at research and script writing. We are extremely proud of this production and are confident it will have a far-reaching impact when it is delivered to secondary schools later this year.”

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