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Cornwall County Council

Challenge

Cornwall County Council (CCC) approached CragRats for help with delivering a highly engaging road safety education programme aimed at Year 11 students in schools across Cornwall. The challenge was to educate young people on the consequences of risk taking on the roads.  CCC wanted CragRats to question the motivation behind young people’s attitudes and behaviours when faced with life-threatening situations. One of the key aims was to encourage them to develop their own skills in assertiveness and develop their self-esteem.

The programme’s learning objectives included to:

• Be aware of the dangers and risks of roads to private vehicle users (drivers and passengers), pedestrians and public transport users
• Understand the effects of misadventure and risk taking where roads and transport are concerned
• Understand the importance of in car safety, with a particular focus on seat belt wearing
• Experience carefully set up situations and scenarios in a safe environment to promote full understanding of the possible consequences of not wearing seat belts and not practising general road safety
• Develop ideas and strategies to encourage them to use what they have learnt in the sessions

Approach

The tour ran consecutively over two years and consisted of an interactive, theatrical performance and workshop.  Teacher’s packs for the school, including 6 lesson schemes of work, were also provided.  CragRats made all school bookings on behalf of the Council and provided CCC with a bespoke evaluations service.

The performance followed the story of three students, one of whom is keen to learn to drive. The characters in the performance encounter peer pressure and the audience witness the consequences of dangerous driving and of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol. The workshop followed the performance and was intended to reinforce the key issues which had been raised, including:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol and other substances
• The effects of driving at speed
• Decision making and individual responsibility
• Coping with peer pressure and peer relationships
• Raising self-esteem
• Positive and negative role models

Results

Evaluations were carried out six months after the first year programme had taken place. This was to determine how well students remembered the presentation and if it had affected their decision making. The results are testament to the impact of the messages delivered by the programme.

• 95% of pupils remember the Road Safety presentation
• 95% said it made them think about the effects of risk taking behaviour on the roads
• 97% said they now follow the messages of the show when they are passengers
• 98% said they will remember the messages of the show when they learn to drive themselves, in particular:

o 83% won’t drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol
o 81% won’t do something dangerous just to impress friends

Overall over 7000 students participated in the programme during the two years it was running.

Feedback from the students indicated that:

• 99% of students enjoyed the presentation
• 98% say it made them think about the effects of risk taking behaviour on the roads
• 96% now understand more about how some actions can lead to life- threatening situations
• 90% realise they are responsible for their actions, even when they have been drinking
• 98% say the presentation influenced their thinking
• 99% will take action to stay safe in the future

Student Comments:

‘I will feel more confident to say no to peer pressure even if it means me not getting in the car.’

‘I have now realised that many people I travel with aren’t safe and that I should tell them and not travel with them until they are safe.’

‘It made me cry, a really great performance.  The message was clear and definitely got through to us all.’

‘A firsthand look at what could happen.  I knew all these things were wrong but I have now heard and seen the consequences.’

Teachers Results:

• 96% say it will help them talk about the issues with students
• 99% say the presentation was beneficial to students
• 100% say the event has encouraged students to think about road safety

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