Car-crash film set to shock

10:20am Tuesday 22nd July 2008

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IT IS an horrific scenario sadly familiar on many roads - a three-car pile-up leaving several young occupants dead or injured.

Thankfully on this occasion, emergency services were not faced with clearing the wreckage of young lives and battered vehicles.

For the debris-strewn stretch of the A4048 at Tredegar was a movie set, the scene part of a 20-minute film targeting young drivers and those approaching driving age.

The content will be hard-hitting, but as chief inspector Mark Warrender of Gwent Police explained, the aim is to save lives.

"Seventeen-21 year-old drivers remain a high risk group for road accidents. This film is intended to highlight an image of responsible driving," he said.

"It's about identifying risk factors for younger drivers, and showing the potential consequences of careless or inattentive driving, for families, friends, other drivers.

"The crash scene involves injuries and fatalities. We have the police, fire and ambulance involved, responding as for a real incident.

"We want to stimulate debate among young people.

One-in-five young drivers will have an accident within 12 months of passing their test, and this group is 10 times more likely to have a serious accident.

"Use of mobile phones while driving is a big risk factor, and young drivers often have several passengers.

"Inexperience is also important. Some young drivers have good skills and reflexes, but their hazard perception is poor."

Thousands of schoolchildren in Gwent and beyond have seen the film Lucky Luke, highlighting the dangers of joyriding.

Made 14 years ago, its crash scene used the same location as the new film.

"We were originally looked at remaking that, but the messages have changed. We hope to make the new film part of a package for schools, targeting 15-18 year-olds, school age, new and pre-drivers," said Chief Inspector Warrender.

"Hopefully it will help us protect and save more lives in the future."

The film, with young Gwent actors in its cast, could play to its first young audiences in the autumn. It is being made in collaboration with the University of Wales Newport and Tredegar comprehensive school.