Students at Guildford College were given a hands-on lesson in road safety last week, as the college welcomed emergency services and road safety organisations for an interactive awareness event.
Organised as part of Surrey Police’s Surrey RoadSafe campaign, the event brought together Surrey Police, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, TyreSafe, AA Driving School and FirstCar to help young people better understand the risks and responsibilities associated with driving.
Throughout the day, students moved between interactive stations, taking part in practical challenges and speaking directly with road safety experts.
Activities included reaction-time tests demonstrating how distractions can affect braking distances, alongside impairment-simulation goggles which showed how alcohol and drugs can impact vision, coordination and judgement.
Students also spoke with Surrey Police about driving offences and their legal consequences, received advice from AA Driving School about learning to drive, and discovered the importance of regular vehicle safety checks, including tyre tread depth.
Hairdressing student, Isla, welcomed the opportunity to learn more about staying safe on the roads.
She said: “I think the campaign was good because you got to learn a lot about road safety and things I didn’t already know.”
Reflecting on what she had learned, Isla highlighted the importance of avoiding travelling with drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as well as understanding how distractions can affect reaction times.
Fellow student Rhiannon particularly enjoyed the reaction-time challenge.
She explained: “You can see how having little kids in the car or other people can really impact your reaction.”
She also praised the impairment-simulation goggles, which gave students a practical insight into the dangers of driving under the influence.
Electrical installations students Pino and David found the discussions around driving laws particularly informative, particularly the consequences of unsafe behaviour, commenting: “I didn’t realise if you get caught on your phone once, it’s just game over. You just lose your licence, just like that. That’s good to know.”
Georgie Dugan, Student Experience Team Lead at Guildford College, said: “This is definitely something that is so valuable to all our learners. They were all so engaged, which was fantastic to see!”
The event followed a successful visit by the Surrey RoadSafe campaign to our Merrist Wood campus the week before.
By combining practical demonstrations with expert advice, the campaign encouraged students to think more carefully about their responsibilities as drivers and passengers, helping them make safer, more informed decisions on the road.
A big thanks to Surrey Police for giving our students this valuable opportunity.
