Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

N/A at 01/07/2002 11:32

*****PHOTO, INTERVIEW AND FILMING OPPORTUNITIES*****
Week Monday 1st to Thursday 4th July
Porthleven, St Hilary, Mevagissey, St Newlyn East and St Agnes

LIFE JOURNEY STARTS ON A STATIONARY BUS
Following the success of the Bus Safety campaign over the last three years, Cornwall County Council’s Road Safety Unit will be taking the ‘Safe Bus’ to more schools again this year. The initiative aims to encourage the children to be mindful not only of their own safety but of others too, when using public transport.

The County Council’s Road Safety Unit, in conjunction with the Passenger Transport Unit, Devon & Cornwall Police, Cornwall County Fire Brigade and First Western National and Truronian bus and coach companies will launch Bus Safety Week on Monday 1st July at Porthleven School, Helston. The initiative will also visit St Hilary, Mevagissey, St Newlyn East and St Agnes schools during the week.

Road Safety Community Education Officer Sandra Gillespie said “It is important that children who will be using public transport when they move schools in September, some for the first time, are taught correct procedures. The initiative is aimed at children who have little or no experience of travelling on public transport and we hope that by giving this valuable lesson in such unusual surroundings they will remember and use the skills that they learn”.

Year 6 children (aged 11), who will be going on to secondary education in September this year and will travel by bus, will be given a pack for themselves and their parents. The packs have information, which emphasise the importance of listening to any instructions and behaving sensibly while waiting and travelling on the bus. The message for parents to discuss with their children is how they can Be Responsible, Be Sensible and Be Safe.

The lessons will cover all aspects of bus travel, including:
u Queuing sensibly
u Safe storage of bags
u Not distracting the driver
u Fire drill
The Fire Drill will be as realistic as possible, with smoke filling the bus to give a sense of urgency during the practice drill.

Community Fire Safety Officer, Stewart Whitworth, said “The bus safety initiative sets out simple rules that, if followed, will keep the children as safe as possible. Travel to Secondary School brings with it not only more independence but also more responsibility, hopefully what they learn on the ‘Safe bus’ will also help the children make wiser choices when travelling on public transport in the future”.

The First Western National and Truronian buses are being used to highlight the lessons and make them more realistic for the children. Exercises in using the bus safely will be carried out under the supervision of the Road Safety, Fire and Police Officers and a member of staff from the Bus Company.

After the lesson the children should be able to:
u Identify safe procedures when travelling to and from school by bus
u Explain how their behaviour affects the chances of an accident and
u Demonstrate how to exit the bus in the event of a fire or an accident

(ENDS)

*****PHOTO AND FILMING OPPORTUNITIES*****
Week Monday 1st to Thursday 4th July
Mon 1 July Porthleven School 11am
St Hilary School, Goldsithney 1.15pm

Wed 3 July Mevagissey CP School 11am

Thurs 4 July St Newlyn East Primary School 11am
St Agnes School 1pm

Note to Editors:
LESSON PLAN - TOPICS TO BE COVERED DURING LESSON PLAN:
Road Safety Officer will cover:
Getting on/off bus
Queuing sensibly
Storage of school bags etc…
Not blocking gangways
Give yourself time
Do not throw litter in or out of bus
Students who need extra help
Clothing e.g. shoe laces, coat tassels
Not distracting driver and others
Double decker bus has steps
Stay sitting at all times

Police Officer will cover:
Seat belts if provided
Remain seated until bus stops
Potential for accidents
Accidents have occurred by crossing behind bus, toggles caught in doors
Pushing, shoving, larking around

Bus Driver will cover:
Vandalism - cost to company and inconvenience to other passengers
Litter
Distracting driver - e.g. noise, sudden loud shouts
The importance of keeping to schedule

Fire Officer will cover:
Fire/accident drill
Do not panic

A representative from the Cornwall County Council Passenger Transport Unit will also be in attendance.
BUS SAFETY
¨ Watch out for traffic when getting on or off the bus.
¨ Do not push or jostle when boarding the bus.
¨ After getting off, walk well away from the bus or wait until it moves off before crossing the road.
¨ Do not distract the driver’s attention.
¨ Stay in your seat until you reach your stop.
¨ Always wear your seat belt (if fitted) however short the trip.
¨ Listen to and follow safety instructions.
¨ Do not block the gangway or door with bags or luggage.
¨ Do not throw litter in or from the bus.
¨ Be aware of passengers who may need extra help.

Further information available from:
Sandra Gillespie, Road Safety Community Education Officer, 01872 327271
Carol Wright, Road Safety Project Coordinator, 01872 327273
Beverly Skilton, Road Safety Publicity Officer, 01872 327342