TWO youngsters will see their designs used as part of a campaign to promote road safety across the county.

‘See You On The Road’ is a campaign launched last year after more than 100 young people aged between 11 and 19 were seriously injured as pedestrians on Dorset roads in 2021.

Last summer, a competition was held for young people aged between nine and 16 to design a poster, social media image or animation that highlighted the dangers in a way that would draw the attention of all road users.

Two winners were chosen by Assistant Chief Constable Steve Lyne, of Dorset Police; Chief Fire Officer Ben Ansell, from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service; and Dorset’s Police & Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick.

The judges said a ‘clever poster’ led to Holly Abbott (aged 12 at the time of entry) from Gillingham School winning the category for 9-12 year olds whilst the winner in the category for 13-16 year olds was Jacob McCulloch (aged 14 at the time of entry).

Jacob, from All Saints CofE Academy in Weymouth, created an animation that can be viewed on the DWFRS YouTube channel.

The winning entries are now being used by Dorset Road Safe to promote road safety across the county, targeting both drivers and the young people who are most vulnerable.

Christine Sharma, road safety manager for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, who ran the competition on behalf of Dorset Road Safe, said: “Because this campaign has been designed by young people, we are hoping that it makes a real difference to their peers across the county. However, it’s also vital that drivers understand the risks posed by pedestrians not seeing them.

"If everyone takes a bit more care, we can bring down the number of young people being seriously injured on our roads each year.”

ACC Steve Lyne said: “Children are taught from an early age how to cross the road safely, but when they are with their friends, distracted by their phones or listening to music, they can forget.

"This was a campaign designed for children, by children, to remind them of the dangers of being distracted and encourage them to Stop, Look, Listen and Think before they cross the road, to ensure they are safe and that they have been seen.”