Abingdon & Witney College’s road safety efforts gain national recognition!

Abingdon & Witney College’s commitment to preparing students for life goes beyond academic and vocational training. A key aspect of our mission is embedding essential life skills within all Study Programmes, ensuring students are well-equipped for both employment and everyday challenges. This commitment recently gained national attention when Sky News visited the College to film our impactful road safety education programme. The feature, which was broadcast yesterday nationwide, ignited a crucial conversation around current and potential driving regulations. Here's a link to the broadcast if you missed it.

The visit was prompted by our Media students' collaboration with Thames Valley Police (TVP) on a compelling video campaign about the dangers of drink and drug driving.

The role of core sessions in student development

At the heart of our approach to life skills education are the weekly Core sessions delivered by Progress Coaches. These sessions provide students with the knowledge and confidence to navigate adulthood successfully. Covering essential topics such as salary deductions, consumer rights, resilience, and healthy relationships, the sessions ensure students develop a well-rounded understanding of practical and personal development skills.

Each term, a themed week ensures all students engage in discussions on crucial topics, fostering a shared language and understanding across the college community. Most recently, the focus was on Safer Driving - a subject that resonated deeply within the College following the tragic loss tragic loss of two former students in a road traffic incident.

Focusing on safer driving: A critical discussion

The Safer Driving themed week addressed the risks young drivers face and the wider impact of road traffic accidents. Students explored how such incidents affect not only those involved but also their families, emergency responders, and the broader community. Discussions also covered the psychological toll on frontline workers who deal with crash scenes and the long-lasting grief experienced by loved ones.

To reinforce key messages, Core sessions incorporated interactive elements such as quizzes, making learning both engaging and memorable. Students were particularly surprised to discover that family cars - often carrying multiple passengers - are among the most common vehicles involved in collisions. These activities deepened students’ understanding of how everyday driving situations can pose significant risks.

Debating new driving regulations

A key discussion point was the Graduated Driving Licence (GDL), a proposed system to help new drivers build confidence gradually. However, students also debated the Motor Vehicles Bill, currently under discussion in Parliament, which aims to provide structured guidance while preserving independence for new drivers.

Opinions on these measures were mixed. Some students supported the idea of a GDL, believing it would enhance road safety, while others argued it could limit their independence. One student highlighted a practical concern, explaining that such restrictions would prevent him from driving his younger brother to football training each week. Many students acknowledged the influence of peer pressure, which can lead to risky behaviour behind the wheel.

Driving change through media: A student-led awareness campaign

The College’s commitment to road safety extends beyond the classroom. In 2023, our Media students partnered with Thames Valley Police to produce a thought-provoking video campaign about drink and drug driving. This collaboration formed part of TVP’s broader effort to engage young people and promote safer driving habits.

Looking ahead: preparing for the next core theme

As we prepare for our next Core theme on knife crime, the lessons from Safer Driving week reinforce the need for continuous discussions around personal safety and responsible choices.

Abingdon & Witney College remains steadfast in its mission to equip students with the awareness and knowledge needed to make safe, informed decisions both on and off the road. We extend our deepest condolences to all those affected by road traffic incidents and will continue fostering crucial conversations that can help save lives.