4:17pm Friday 16th March 2007
The perils of dangerous driving were brought home to pupils of Enfield Grammar School last week when they watched the emergency services tackle the aftermath of a mock crash.
The demonstration showing a motorcyclist underneath a car following a crash' unfolded in the Upper School playground in Little Park Gardens on Friday.
Pupils watched as members of the fire brigade and ambulance services worked together to cut through the wreckage of the car in a complex procedure to release a passenger as well as taking the bloodied' motorcyclist away in a body bag.
To many, the scenario had the desired effect with some, such as 15-year-old Chris Iona, describing the crash as "shocking."
Others such as James Hosie said: "It was very dramatic but I wasn't that affected by it."
Glen Wilson, 14, said: "It's put me off buying a moped."
Luke Pettit, 14, said "It was good, very persuasive. Most teenagers are here just to get out of lessons but it has affected them a little bit."
Many were impressed with the work of the emergency services. "It did make me feel safer, the way they did it so quickly," said Glen Wilson.
Also in attendance was George Galli-Atkinson from Winchmore Hill, a staunch road safety campaigner, who lost his daughter Livia when she was run over by a car in Windmill Hill ten years ago.
He said: "We have to draw attention to the new generation of drivers that driving is not only our right but also our responsibility".
Mr Galli-Atkinson added it was key that education, legislation and road traffic enforcement are used together to discourage dangerous driving.
Cllr Eleftherios Savva was also in attendance and he said: "The car is one of the things we use most.
"Youngsters feel invisible and when anything happens it's a huge shock. They need to be made more aware."
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