Pay for a cab not a coffin...

7:00pm Wednesday 17th September 2008

Comments (3)   Have your say »

A NEW initiative to cut the number of young adult deaths on Dorset's roads has been launched by firefighters.

The scheme - called "I'd rather pay for a cab than a coffin" - works by getting parents and guardians to sign a pledge card.

This card, handed to Bournemouth and Poole College students yesterday at the project's Lansdowne campus launch, is essentially a promise to taxi drivers that parents will pick up the fare should their children have no money for a cab.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service's Dave Prior came up with the scheme after speaking to young people at a community safety event earlier this year.

He said: "I became concerned about the number of young people who accepted lifts home from people they knew had taken drugs or had consumed alcohol."

Mr Prior said many young adults were taking the decision to get into cars, regardless of the condition of the driver, just to get home.

On an average day, one person is killed or seriously injured on Dorset's roads. Many of these are young people travelling as passengers.

Speaking after the launch, deputy county fire chief Nigel Williams said: "The scheme went down really well with the students and we were able to get an important message across.

"We have been on campus during freshers' week to highlight a range of safety messages.

"If people have this pledge card in their pocket when they are out and about, it enables them to get home safely."

United Taxis has signed up to the scheme but any licensed cab operator can be used.