Players from Rygby Gogledd Cymru (RGC 1404) and new students from Coleg Llandrillo’s Rhos on Sea campus have been learning more about safety behind the wheel through North Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s newly branded Subaru engagement vehicle.

The vehicle will be used to engage with young drivers at events and visits across the region.

Paul Scott, Head of Community Safety, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Our work as a fire and rescue service does not just involve tackling house fires - we attend a high number of road traffic collisions and work tirelessly with partner agencies to help educate drivers about the potentially fatal consequences of speeding or not paying attention while driving.

"In 2013 young people represented 11% of driving license holders and 23% of road casualties - and continue to be at greater risk than any other group. 

“We look to interact with young people across the region at colleges, workplaces and events to reduce road traffic collisions and fatalities.

 “Our newly branded Subaru engagement vehicle is bright, eye catching and is seen as a desirable vehicle for our target audience – it serves as an effective way to engage and start conversations with young drivers. The branding also highlights the ‘Fatal 5’ and gives us the opportunity to talk about the five main causes of road traffic collisions and injuries in Wales – we appeal to youngsters not to drink/drug drive, to kill their speed, to avoid getting careless, to belt up and to switch off their mobile phones.

"Once we’ve started talking to the young people, we take the opportunity to chat about attitudes and behaviour behind the wheel. We also utilise new technology such as our virtual reality goggles to demonstrate the reality of the trauma of being involved in a road traffic collision.

“We look forward to working with young people across the region with the help of our newly branded Subaru vehicle, driving home key messages about the importance of safety behind the wheel.”