“”You realize that if you don’t have the belt, you’re dead“, Says Ewan. The adolescent has just participated in the simulation organized at the Henri-Canade Lycée in Nangis, a small rural town in the middle of Brie, about sixty kilometers south-east of Paris.
The striking experience is there to become aware of the risks. “”Often words are not enough. The workshops, it really allows us to realize the danger“, Recognizes Ewan, 17.
According to road safety, in 2023, among children aged 0 to 13 killed in a road accident, 1 in 5 was not attached. In 14-17 year olds, this figure climbs to 2 out of 5.
Hence the importance of conducting prevention operations on wearing a belt for children and adolescents, such as that carried out in Nangis a few days before World Parents Day, Sunday, June 1.
“”We want to make what we tell them theoretically“, Tells Laurent Delrue, a principal of the school, told AFP.
The latter insists on the importance of raising awareness among young people about wearing the belt in school cars, “because we are in a rural environment and most students borrow them“.
Relay to families
Tonneau car, choreographic demonstration, course with glasses reflecting the blood alcohol level, quiz on the dangers of the road, shock simulator … The playground has been transformed into a large awareness space led by companies, influencers or the municipal police.
Each workshop is designed in a fun and educational way so that students realize themselves the dangers of the road.
The objective is that wearing the belt is not only an obligation, but that it becomes a reflex. “”These messages must be repeated, and it is a choice, not a constraint“Explains Florence Guillaume, interministerial delegate for road safety, which participates in the day.
The government manager wishes to make students understand “How much the belt can save lives, no matter the age“. And she hopes they”will become relays to their families, and prescribers for their parents“.
After following the workshop “frontal shock test”, which allows you to feel the effect of a low speed collision, Raphaël, 12, confides, a little impressed, to have taken “awareness of dangers if you don’t have the belt“.
The host, Daniel Sigic, explains to young people how to get attached. “”You should not wear a jacket, the belt must be well pressed against the body …“, He is essaying.
“”We try to captivate them so that they participate“He continues.”The goal is not only to get random figures“On the risk of mortality in the event of an accident,”But to make them live what we explain to them“He explains.
The importance of wearing the belt is reminded continuously to students, both during workshops and on posters plated at the four corners of the establishment. They show a bear in a right plush in its seat with this slogan: “In coach, by car, by bicycle: everyone is attached“.