A DIDU instigated crash reconstruction display took place in Lewisham, South East London on Thursday 29th October. The initial idea was taken up by Transport for London following a meeting between DIDU and the Local road safety Manager of Lewisham Council. TFL brought together fire, ambulance and police services, each provided crews, vehicles, and equipment on the day. Crash vehicles were from the police pound. All three services gave a commentary as events unfolded.

DIDU invited local instructors and their pupils and the Dsa to attend. Sharon Cashin (DSA Sector 18 Area Manager) not only showed up but was willing to play the casualty as per photo.

If this makes just one driver ease back on their speed then it will be worth all of the planning. Many in the crowd were visibly taken aback after being faced by the reality of a crash and what is involved in a rescue.

The Metropolitan Police traffic section commentator stated that a fatal crash involving all the services, including hospitals, crash investigation and possible court action, costs the nation in the region of £1.5 million overall.

(I am in the background with my DIDU badge on display and camera to the ready in the first photo above)

Background

I took an idea to the local fire brigade commander and the local road safety officer. I asked local press to run a competition for pre licence age teens from local schools to be invited to a fire station to watch a display. The competition was to write a short report containing a road safety message by teens for teens. Prizes would be off road drive experiences with local Didu Instructors using the O2 Coach Park.

I also wanted to get the local performing arts school to put on a road safety music and dance themed show.

This was the result of what responses I got. Local road safety took it up, enlisted TFL who co ordinated 999 crews.

Local press and the 02 let me down by not even responding. I have not given up yet on the whole project coming together, now I have something to present to the others and some good contacts to use in the future.