On Friday 14 October, Kelly Tolhurst MP visited the new Road Safety Experience in Rochester opened earlier this year to see first-hand the initiatives on offer for young people and drivers:
Kelly said on the visit,
"Having been at the opening of the Road Safety Experience in Rochester earlier this year, I was delighted to revisit this month to see it fully up and running.
"At the fantastic new venue, the Road Safety Experience is the first purpose built facility of its kind in the UK. It uses powerful stories, exciting interactive experiences and information from experienced road safety experts. It aims to help young people learn from the experience of others, improve their safety and give them the skills they need to make better informed decisions in all driver and passenger situations.
"It is saddening to know that over 177 young people aged 16-24 died on Kent’s roads since 2013. Such tragedy brings unprecedented heartbreak to families and friends whose grief comes for the unnecessary loss of loved ones’ lives long before their time. It is therefore essential that we dedicate and increase road safety education across Kent and the wider country to help keep young aware of the risks and therefore help keep them safe.
"As a road user myself, I can understand the excitement of owning and driving one’s first car, but it is so important that responsibility and the many risks of the road are remembered. I am therefore thrilled to welcome the UK’s first truly innovative experience for the young road users, with special thanks to the collaborative work of Kent Police, Kent County Council, Medway Council and the Highways England.
"The new centre will provide education visits for up to 95 young people a day and is free to all schools, colleges and groups in Kent and Medway, so I hope as many of them as possible make use of this fantastic new service."
Road Safety Crew Manager, Alan Faulkner said: “It was a privilege to welcome Ms. Tolhurst to the Road Safety Experience at Rochester. We were grateful that she was able to take the time to visit us. We’re very proud of our innovative road safety education centre and we’re delighted to have Kelly’s support and backing.
“Providing first class road safety education is vital in keeping our young people safe, influence their attitudes and behaviours, and to help them become responsible drivers and passengers.”
The Road Safety Experience is based alongside KFRS’s new Rochester fire station on land at the former park and ride site near Rochester Airport in Marconi Way.