Joy-riding film’s stunning effect

12:10pm Wednesday 5th December 2007

"I AM convinced this will help prevent future joy-riding tragedies. It's more than I had hoped for."

That was the tribute from York fire chief Graham Buckle after seeing The Press' Live Now, Drive Later film - and assessing the reaction from two sets of teenagers.

Mr Buckle revealed the film was shown again earlier this week as the emergency service's Impact Roadshow paid its second visit of the school year.

Last week, it was greeted with stunned silence after being shown at Archbishop Holgate's School as part of the roadshow, which aims to deter car crime and promote road safety. And it met with the same response when it was shown on Monday to students at Danesgate Pupil Support Centre, off Fulford Road.

"It was stunned silence again," he said.

"It is having just the sort of impact that I had hoped for, only more so.

"It is the professional production values that really clinch it. It's so professionally done."

The film has been made by Christopher David, of York-based video and film production company Flash Frame, as part of The Press' Live Now Drive Later campaign.

The campaign was launched after two 15-year-old boys died after taking a car without permission and crashing head-on in Stockton Lane into a Press van, whose driver also died.

The aim was to deter other youngsters from making the same fateful decision and going joy-riding.

The film features interviews with people directly affected by the consequences of joy-riding, including relatives of two of the people killed in the Stockton Lane crash, but also depicts a fictional dramatisation of a teenager who takes a car and ends up horrifically injured after crashing.

Mr Buckle revealed he had now, at the request of The Press, invited about 30 people to the public premiere of the film, which takes place next Monday morning at York's City Screen cinema.

"They are from the Impact roadshow, from the fire and rescue service, the police, City of York Council, and the Safer York Partnership, and I expect about 20 will be able to make it," he said.

Mr Buckle said the film would be shown as part of the Impact Roadshow at every other York secondary school over the coming year, and then for years to come, ensuring it would have a long-lasting impact on teenagers' attitudes towards joy-riding.

* Please would Cashel Ogden and Jamie Robinson, who were interviewed for the film, phone Mike Laycock on 01904 567132 as soon as possible about next week's premiere.

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