Why these Leeds students are putting road safety under the spotlight

Year 9 pupils at Co-op Academy Priesthorpe in west Leeds are taking part in a competition run by Brake, the road safety charity, to inspire young people to raise awareness and campaign for safer roads.

Brake’s Project24 competition, in partnership with Coop Insurance, asks 11-18 year-olds to create their own 24-second short film that raises awareness about a road safety subject of their choice.

The title ‘Project24’ was chosen as figures from the World Health Organization show 1.35 million people are killed on the roads each year - the equivalent of one person every 24 seconds.

Road crashes are now the eighth leading cause of death worldwide and the leading cause of death for people aged 5-29.

Brake staff delivered a workshop to 25 students at Co-op Academy Priesthorpe and worked with them on their entries for the competition. The students’ short films will include stop-start animation, recreation of a crash and films featuring the young people themselves talking about figures related to road safety.

The best entries will be showcased by Brake through its website and social media channels across the globe. And winners will receive prizes for themselves and for their schools, including attendance at a special awards reception.

The contest is open to other schools and colleges across Yorkshire, as well as community groups such as Scouts, Guides, youth clubs and emergency service cadets. By registering, teachers and leaders receive free resources including assembly slides, filming tips and fact sheets.

There is still time for young people to get involved, with entries due by 4pm on Friday, April 3, 2020. Winners will be announced in May.

For more information visit brake.org.uk/project24 or email: [email protected]Dave Nichols, community engagement manager for Brake, the road safety charity, said: “It was fantastic to work with the young people at Co-op Academy Priesthorpe and hear their ideas for the short films. I was amazed by the amount of detail they are managing to get into 24 seconds, while raising awareness about a subject that matters to them. They came up with some great discussion points during the workshop and are obviously passionate about wanting safe roads so they can walk and cycle in their communities without fear of traffic.”

Helen Brant, head of computer science, ICT & Media at Co-op Academy Priesthorpe, said: “Our students’ safety is of upmost importance to us as a school and working with Brake on Project24 is a great way to teach our students about road safety in a creative and informative way. Our students have loved making some films and we look forward to submitting them to Brake and sharing them in the community.”