More than 1,000 sixth year students at West Lothian’s high schools have taken part in an enhanced driving and personal safety programme.
The course builds on the successful West Drive scheme but offered practical advice on other issues they could face as they embarked on their last year in school.
Councillors of the Education PDSP heard West Calder pupils who had attended the sessions praised the course for their frank approach. One said: “It really made me think about the dangers of using mobile phones when driving.”
The content was expanded and interventions created and added that were designed to cover a range of fire safety and personal safety over four days in June. In total 1,068 sixth years took part.
It was a chance to learn real life skills including driving, road safety and car ownership, home safety and personal protection. Sessions were designed to prepare young people for independent living and were based on challenges Police Scotland and Fire and Rescue knew young people were experiencing.
The events were co-ordinated by Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and West Lothian Council Services. Other partners that supported and attended on the day were West Lothian Drug and Alcohol Service (WLDAS), Rural and Urban Training Scheme and Scottish Ambulance Service.
It covered subjects including drugs and alcohol, to the role of the emergency services.
It also offered advice on bystander training using video footage of a night club to show various points where an intervention could have taken place and what you can do as an active citizen to prevent incidences when you see them. This element also covered how to keep yourself safe in a nightclub. Information was also provided on personal safety.
Among the positive feedback received was the comment: “It was useful to learn about topics we don’t normally cover at school.”
Alongside the real-life stories of the tragic results of dangerous driving the pupils also received practical advice of what to do in emergency situations.
The only negative feedback to partner groups involved received was that the attendees didn’t get enough time to hear more or learn practical hands-on skills.
Police and fire officers told the committee that they found it the most effective way of getting the safety message across to as large a cohort of the age group as possible and planned to develop the courses in coming years.
By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter
