Around 1,800 young people aged 16 to 18 were shown the potential dangers of driving during a dramatic live show at the artsdepot Theatre in North Finchley.

The Worshipful Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Caroline Stock, attends the Safe Drive Stay Alive live show

Safe Drive Stay Alive (SDSA) – staged from 11-15 November – explores the circumstances that can lead to a collision and the consequences that follow in a hard-hitting and emotive way. Two speakers shared their emotional stories of losing loved ones, while the London Fire Brigade, Metropolitan Police and Ambulance Service recounted their first-hand experiences of dealing with road accidents.

Road death is the biggest killer of young people in the UK. For every tragic death, 10 more young people suffer serious and often life-changing injuries. Young drivers are more likely to take many of the serious risks associated with driving, including speeding, overtaking blind, driving on drugs/alcohol, and not wearing seat belts. It is no surprise then, that one in four 18-24-year-olds crash within two years of passing their driving test.

SDSA has been running for six years in Barnet in partnership with London Local Authorities, London Ambulance NHS Trust, London Fire Brigade, the Metropolitan Police and Transport for London. The event – for new drivers, those about to learn and the passengers of cars driven by their peers – was staged nine times this year. The young people came from schools and sixth-form colleges across the area, and there was also an evening performance for the general public.

The Worshipful Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Caroline Stock, said: “This powerful and moving experience can’t have failed to have an impact on our young people. I hope that the testimonials they heard will serve their purpose in helping to make Barnet’s streets safer for everyone.”

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