Students from Summerhill Secondary School in Kingswinford are working with Dudley Council’s road safety team to come up with new designs to help keep people safe on the road this winter.

The project is part of the Department for Transport’s THINK! safety campaign which aims to remind pedestrians and cyclists of how they can make themselves more visible when out and about as the nights draw in.

Dudley Council’s road safety and travel awareness team is working alongside Year 9 design and technology students from Summerhill Secondary School, Kingswinford. The students have been identifying suitable clients, researching the fabrics and analysing existing products. They have come up with ideas for wearable accessories with reflective and fluorescent properties, including hoodies, sports bags, dog jackets, horse accessories, bum bags, t-shirts and arm bands. Sancha Wood, design and technology teacher at Summerhill Secondary School said:

"The Year 9 students are really enjoying this design challenge which brings together elements of research, investigation, testing and design to create a complete project.

"We’re hoping that the students will be able to create real life versions of their final designs which they will then be able to use on their journeys to and from school."

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member responsible for road safety, added:

"Our road safety team does invaluable work with local schools and community groups, providing education and training to help keep people safe on the streets.

"The students at Summerhill have clearly enjoyed the challenge and have taken the project really seriously, coming up with a range of workable ideas which could help to keep a whole range of road users safe during the dark winter nights.
 

"By making this a practical project, it should really bring home the importance of road safety to these students and hopefully be something they can share with their fellow students, friends and families."

Tips on how individuals can keep safe during the darker evenings include wearing brightly coloured or fluorescent clothing that shows up well in daylight and at dusk; wearing reflective gear when it’s dark; using accessories, even small items like armbands and stickers; for cyclists to have clean and working lights at night as well as a rear reflector; using safer places to cross wherever possible, and using well lit routes.

The road safety and travel awareness team also offer a range of services including cycle training, pre-driver training and presentations for school pupils and community groups. For details about any of the services that the team provides call 01384 815433 or email road.safety@dudley.gov.uk.