The children were eager to give feedback during the presentation by Tola Race Wars (TRW) today, July 12, 2016. Photo: VINO

TRW's Devon Joseph giving his usual lively road safety presentation. Photo: VINO

From left: Police officer Guy Mathias, TRW member Greg ‘Wong Ping’ Hodge, Fire officer Nathan Mclean and Second District Representative Honourable Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull. Photo: VINO

The group, since its recent formation, has been visiting several schools speaking to students on road safety. It's presentations have been welcomed by both students and teachers of the various schools visited.

Today, School Events Coordinator, Devon Joseph presented an interactive lesson on the best ways to remain safe when walking or driving on the streets of the island.

Even though the students were of a younger age, many were familiar with the laws being stressed.

The presentation began with questions such as, how many knew certain traffic signs and what the speed limit was in Road Town as opposed to outside of the capital city. They were taught to always look left and right before crossing the road, always walk facing traffic, and always cross at a crosswalk.

Unlicensed & uninsured

Mr Joseph also addressed one of the larger issues among youth- the illegal and unsafe us of motor scooters. It was noted that the majority of riders in the territory are not licensed and their motorbikes are uninsured.  He also said these youth do not wear the proper safety equipment such as a helmet, which could easily help to minimise the seriousness of an injury.

Mr Joseph stated: “Right now we are trying work with the ministers and the government that we can get a facility. That way you guys can practice your stunts and do whatever it is you want, but until then you need to look out for yourselves, your best friends, and your brothers and sisters when it comes to your bicycles. Not because it doesn’t have an engine, it is not dangerous.”

Some of these lessons may seem tedious to teach, but not long into the presentation, students began to eagerly raise their hands to tell Mr Joseph stories of when they experienced people disobeying these laws.

TRW Team

Others present at the activity this morning were President of the group Dr Carl Dawson, Second District Representative Honourable Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull, Police officer Guy Mathias, Fire officer Nathan Mclean, TRW member Greg “Wong Ping” Hodge and Amanda Agiton.

This programme is just one offered by the Wellness Centre’s Behavioural Health Clinic.

Dr Michael A. Turnbull, who works with the children, expressed “This is a social emotional skills camp. It is concentrated on helping kids learn important social skills. We have two groups, from four to 12 and 12 to 16. Each week, we concentrate on different social skill or a different thing that will allow them to cope better at home, at school, and in the community. Last week, we did, on terms of discovery, in terms of getting to know each other, the importance of friendships, the importance of giving a compliment.

“We have a teacher Ms Rhymer who concentrates on social emotional building because most of the kids that we have problems with, in terms of dropping out of school, having problems getting suspended. What they are lacking are social skills. So this is a healthy environment so we can boost those social skills.”

After the presentation was completed, the students were taken outside and were able to look under the hoods and sit behind the wheels of two sports cars. These cars were fully equipped with many safety features found in typical sports cars of today. The seatbelts were a feature specifically emphasised to remind the children that if professional drivers wear their seatbelts, so can they.