Young drivers

Safe Drive Stay Alive (SDSA)

The SDSA events are organised by a partnership group made up of representatives from all three emergency services, NHS, Borough and Transport for London is aimed at students in year 12. It is a powerful full stage production lasting just short of 90 minutes. Feedback from pupils who have already attended is available at Safe Drive Stay Alive London. 

What are the aims of SDSA

Research has shown that on average, one in five young people will be involved in a crash in the first year of passing their test and that most crashes involve cars of multiple- occupancy resulting in passengers being killed or seriously injured as well as drivers. The aim of SDSA is to help reduce the disproportionate number of road casualties among young road users by getting them to think about the consequences of their behaviour and attitude and make positive changes that will result in them remaining safe.

"I will never, ever show my boyfriend a text message whilst he’s driving again"

What Happens?

The production is opened by a local well known DJ playing loud music. He holds a quiz on stage with the students and then gets around to the serious business of why they are there by showing photographs of local car crashes, and local newspaper coverage.

The production then moves to a filmed reconstruction of a crash involving five young people. This is interspersed at relevant points by a police traffic officer, a paramedic and a fire-fighter who come on stage to give an account of their personal experiences and how it has not just affected the victims, their friends and families, but also the professionals themselves. It also features speakers whose lives have been permanently changed, a bereaved family member, and a seriously injured survivor. They speak from personal experience and make the point that a bad decision takes seconds to make, but the impact can last a lifetime.

"The personal stories made what the speakers were saying much more real and it really hit home.  When Nick said his friends didn’t go and see him any more I felt so sorry for him"

What is the strategy?

The audience should leave knowing the risks, be able to identify the common causes for crashes and prevention strategies and enable them to identify their own behaviours and attitude with a view to making positive change.

Other work with secondary schools and sixth forms

Theatre in Education

Theatre in Education is offered free of charge to all schools in the borough when budget allocation allows and targeted where there is most need if not. Contact michelle.gayle@croydon.gov.uk for more information

Workshops

Workshops can be offered to some of our more difficult to reach client groups. These are more interactive and work best in small groups.

All of the young driver and passenger programmes are evaluated, looking for change in behaviour and attitude. If you would like any further or more details, please contact michelle.gayle@croydon.gov.uk for more information