BOURNEMOUTH and Poole College joined forces with local public services to create and host the first Road Awareness Festival for students at its Poole site.

The college held the festival to educate students on the importance of road safety in a visual and informative way.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Dorset Police, The British Horse Society and the Borough of Poole were some of the services present on the day. Each carried out a range of activities to help teach students about dangers on the road and what actions can be put in place to prevent these from happening.

During the day the fire service carried out a live vehicle extraction, giving students the opportunity to volunteer to be extracted in the demonstration. Representatives from Dorset Police’s Road Safety Department, Dorset Traffic Police and Neighbourhood Policing Teams were on hand to give in-depth talks to students about how to stay safe on the road.

There was also the opportunity for students to ask any questions they may have surrounding the typical distractions and conditions which can make driving hazardous.

Poole council carried out speed checks on the road leading to the college student car park to highlight the risks involved with speeding, including a crash test dummy demonstration. The college’s student services and first aid team were also on site to supply information and a CPR demonstration.

Dee Tester, health and safety co-ordinator at the college, said: "As a college it is our responsibility to teach our students not only about the topics they wish to study, but also to supply them with the information and tools required to develop their life skills.

"This is why it is so important that we are able to organise events such as these, as it allows our students to come together to learn about these important issues, using our connections to the local public services."

Sergeant Mark Farrow, of the Dorset Police No Excuse Team, added: "It was great for our officers to meet with the students to discuss how to stay safe on the roads. It is important for us to reach road users before they start their driving career to give helpful advice on the potential pitfalls and hazards they may encounter."