KFRS releases 300 tickets to its first 'Road Savvy' event

30 October 2019

Families, Road safety

Every year Kent’s firefighters carry out more than 1,000 road crash rescues, and in a bid to drive that number down and make the county’s roads safer, Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is launching its first Road Savvy event.

With an ambition to change the way people think about driving and impact on their behaviours behind the wheel, the event on Saturday, 16 November at the Road Safety Experience in Rochester, will be an exclusive glimpse into the world of the emergency services and how they deal with crashes.

For those who snap up one of 300 free event tickets available, there will be opportunities to test driving skills through physical and mental challenges, as well as a chance to have a go in a car simulator, and even experience the force of a crash on a seat belt sled.

Parents with younger children won’t want to miss out on free child car seat safety checks, which will provide peace of mind that they’re fitted and working correctly.

"KFRS Operations Director and NFCC Road Safety Lead Sean Bone-Knell said: “We’re really excited to be hosting this exhibition style Road Savvy event. We’ve made it a limited ticketed event, which means it’s a much more intimate experience for those attending, and they’ll really get a chance to have a go at the activities and challenges, and chat with us as well as our colleagues from Kent Police, and road safety teams from Kent County Council and Medway Council.

“This event forms part of our mission to make the county’s roads safer, and we can all play a part in making that happen. Many of the road crashes our firefighters attend involve cutting people out of vehicles, and sadly in some cases, drivers, passengers and even pedestrians are left with life changing or fatal injuries. This needs to stop, and we believe through events like Road Savvy we can help people understand what they can do to help enhance safe travel on Kent’s roads. 

“I’d encourage anyone who would like to come along to book their place as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.” 

There will be three one-hour sessions running between 11am and 2pm, with 100 people able to secure a place on each. As this is a ticketed event, only those who register their place will be permitted entry. While the event is open to children and adults, children under 14 will not be permitted into the auditorium area to watch a short live action film and theatre sequence, due to sensitive content. Free parking will be available on site. 

Road Savvy kick starts a week of events taking place during Brake Road Safety Week (18-21 November). KFRS, in partnership other blue light agencies and councils, will be holding a number of educational events with thousands of students through the No Turning Back theatre production initiative, as well as welcoming schools and businesses to the Road Safety Experience in Rochester.