A SIXTH form student is en route to a shopping spree after being inspired by an initiative to keep young drivers safe.
Professionals involved in the South Yorkshire Drive for Life programme visited Trinity Academy to deliver a presentation explaining the heightened risks to teenagers on the road.
Judith Shaw, road safety trainer with Doncaster Council, said: "Young people aged 17-24 are the most vulnerable group in terms of fatal and serious road collisions. They make up ten per cent of drivers but account for 32 per cent of fatal collisions.
"We run the project across South Yorkshire, aiming it at Year 12 and Year 13 students as they are the youngest drivers."
Supported by police traffic officer Lee Beck and fire service watch manager Gary Bruce, the presentation also included the story of Jemma O'Sullivan, a 22-year-old university student who was killed on the M18 when a lorry driver who was texting crashed into the vehicle in which she was a passenger.
Trinity Academy student Jonathan Wright said: "The presentation was very good, very informative and really made you think. It's a serious subject and definitely had our sixth formers engaged.
"I'm not learning to drive yet, but I will in the future, and it was good to learn more about the law and your obligations as a driver."
Jonathan gave feedback on the presentation and was selected as one of the winners of £50 of Meadowhall shopping vouchers.
Gemma Hirst, director of sixth form at Trinity Academy, added: "We host the Drive for Life presentation annually because we know our older students are learning to drive and we want to make sure they have as much information as possible to stay safe. It's reassuring for parents too that their children are receiving this important element of education."
