Hard Hitting DVD Targets Young People
Graphic images showing the aftermath of a traffic crash near Ryde in which two teenagers died are being used as part of a new road safety DVD campaign targeting young people.
In December 2008, passengers George Hamon, 17, and Guy Knight 16, were killed when the Peugeot driven by their friend was involved in a collision with a Mercedes on Brading Road, near Beaper Shute. Two other passengers survived and the driver survived. The driver was later given a 12-month sentence in a young offenders institute after admitting two counts of causing death by careless driving.
The tragedy is now the focus of a DVD which includes images from the crash scene, including pictures of the two young people lying dead.
The film has been supported by the families of the crash victims and features interviews from the bereaved parents involved, and also from members of the emergency services who were called to the incident. Also included is the real emergency call that was made to report the collision.
Edward Giles, Isle of Wight Council Cabinet member responsible for Highways said
"The council and its partners feel this latest campaign with its DVD is particularly hard-hitting because it again focuses on a real accident that happened here, on the Isle of Wight, and many people would have known those involved.
"It shows the serious consequences of reckless driving and the families of George and Guy have been highly supportive of the DVD because they want to help prevent similar tragedies from happening in future. Without their support we could not and would not have made the film."
PC Martin Norman of the Isle of Wight Roads Policing Unit said:
"I'm very grateful to the parents of both Guy and George for their continued support in our efforts to put across this vital message to all motorists. Road death is a difficult and delicate subject with traumatic events that have a profound physical and psychological effect on everyone involved. This DVD is emotionally charged to highlight the stark realities of such collisions."
Guy's father, Toby Knight, said:
"If, through this road awareness initiative, just one young person stops and considers the consequences of their actions, then Guy and George's deaths won't have been in vain."
The DVD has been produced and supported by road safety partners including IW Council, Hampshire Constabulary, IW Fire and Rescue Service and the Island's NHS.
