YOUNG DRIVERS URGED: SAVE A LIFE THIS VALENTINE'S DAY!

Hard-hitting Valentine cards have been distributed on behalf of the Sussex Safety Camera Partnership (SSCP) to young people as part of the award-winning For My Girlfriend campaign.

Visitors to Brighton Pier on Valentine's Day can also find out about the tragic consequences of irresponsible driving from SSCP staff and members of the emergency services.

Firefighters from Preston Circus Fire Station will be demonstrating how quickly they can rescue crash victims trapped in vehicles, while SSCP staff will be handing out red roses to young people, each rose representing the life of a young person that has been shattered through a road traffic collision.

Research has shown the appalling prospect of killing or permanently disabling someone they love is the main trigger to make young people think about their driving.

The card reads 'For My Valentine' on the front, with a picture showing a female passenger being cut out of a wrecked car by the emergency services.

Inside, the message reads: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to kill you. I was driving too fast".

Around 20,000 cards have been distributed around Sussex with the help of sixth form centres, colleges and universities, nightclubs and pubs, and driving schools and instructors '“ places where young people are likely to be found in significant numbers.

Teachers' packs are also available to help schools and colleges promote discussion about road safety and speed among students.

Richard Andrews, Acting Communications Manager for the SSCP said: "Young drivers are particularly tough to get road safety messages to. The card has been tested among young people and, while they did not like it, they admitted it had impact and made them think.

"The card may upset and offended a small number of people, but if it makes young people think about the potentially terrible consequences of driving too fast '“ and helps save even one life '“ it's worth it."

Mick Meik, Station Commander at Preston Circus Fire Station, said: "It is always tragic when someone loses their life in a road traffic collision, but when it involves someone so young, it can be particularly distressing for our crews and other emergency services who attend the scene.

"We don't want to have to spend our days and nights picking up the pieces of yet another collision which could so easily be avoided by being more careful behind the wheel."

Superintendent Paul Morrison, Sussex roads policing commander, said: "We have seen an unacceptable number of people killed on our roads already this year in Sussex, and some of them have been young people with their lives ahead of them. I hope this initiative makes young drivers think about their actions this Valentine's Day and realise that irresponsible behaviour on the roads has potentially tragic consequences not just for themselves but for their loved ones as well."

A spokesperson at Brighton Pier, said: "We are delighted to welcome the Sussex Safety Camera Partnership and emergency services to Brighton Pier for this event. Millions of people visit the pier every year, and we want them all to return home safely. Even if just one life is saved by the message being passed on by the SSCP and the emergency services, their visit has been worthwhile."