BRADFORD teenagers will be shown a hard hitting performance highlighting the deadly consequences of dangerous driving.

A drama company will be giving 16 to 18 year-olds in the District's schools and colleges a multi-media theatre performance, starting next week.

The 60 minute play, called ‘My Dead Friends’ is performed by The Riot Act, and follow-up discussions educate potential young drivers and passengers on key road safety issues such as driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, the risks of mobile phone distraction, speeding and not wearing seatbelts.

It will also raise the dangers of peer pressure and being goaded into racing.

West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service has teamed up with West Yorkshire Police and Bradford Council, all partners in Operation Steerside, to commission the performances as part of their commitment to keeping young people across the Bradford district safe.

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Statistics show that 16-19-year-olds are particularly vulnerable when it comes to road accidents.

Chris Kirby, Area Operations Manager for West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said "Far too many young people are killed or injured in driving incidents, so anything we can do which gets the message across about being safe, sensible and considerate of other road users has to be welcomed."

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport said: “These drama performances complement other work being carried out by the Council's Road Safety Team and other agencies in schools across the district to get important safety messages across in a thought provoking way.

"We are sure they will influence and encourage our young people to change their behaviour.”

Superintendent Daniel Greenwood from West Yorkshire Police said: “Educating both current motorists and those who are about to learn how to drive as to how communities are affected by bad driving is a key part of Operation Steerside.

"Enforcement alone will not bring about the changes in attitudes needed to make Bradford’s roads safer.

“We are pleased to support any initiative which delivers road safety messages to young people effectively – particularly if it makes them think about what can happen when a vehicle is used in an anti-social way.”