STUDENTS from South Dartmoor Community College recently took part in a series of interactive workshops targeted at road safety.

The Ashburton Neighbourhood Police Team joined with with Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, the Force Road Safety Operations Teams, Devon Air Ambulance and SPACE youth services to lead the workshop.

They recently spoke to Year 12 students from South Dartmoor Community College.

The session was part of a Road Safety Intervention Day designed with new and inexperienced drivers in mind, giving them vital knowledge and skills to keep them safe this summer when out on the roads.

Students took part in a number of interactive workshops with the agencies covering: first on scene response to a road traffic collision and what to do if you are involved in a road traffic incident; water safety including throw line rescue techniques and speed awareness including speed detection resources and camera demonstrations.

There were also discussions about the ‘Fatal Five’ - the causes of serious injuries and deaths on the road.

Students were able to try carrying out tasks while wearing so-called ‘beer goggles’.

The special headsets give an idea of how dangerous it is to walk, drive or carry out basic reaction tests if you are not sober.

Police Sergeant Ryan Cook, Neighbourhood Team Leader for the local area, said: ‘This was a great way for our Neighbourhood Policing Team to get involved with local students and give future road users an input at an impressionable age.

‘Even if they are not the driver of the car, they will be able to make informed decisions whether or not to get into a vehicle.

‘The aim is to build relationships with our newer road users and empower them to feel comfortable and understand risky activities prior to driving’.

This is the second year emergency services have joined together to create a bespoke piece of work for the students around the Fatal Five.

A spokesperson for South Dartmoor Community College said: ‘A huge thank you to the emergency services and SPACE youth services for sharing their time, expertise and insight with our students’.