Limavady Custom Cruisers
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13 October 2011
(pdf 175 KB)A group of young drivers from Limavady are breaking the mould when it comes to safe driving and modifying their cars. The Limavady Custom Cruisers, based at North West Regional College's Greystone Centre, are celebrating their fourth year with the launch of a major new modification project - the Skyline project - on Thursday 13th October at 7.30pm.
Established in 2007 as a partnership between the College, Limavady District Policing Partnership and the PSNI Road Policing Team, the Limavady Custom Cruisers have proven that over the past four years, they have made a significant impact on the reduction of 16 - 25 year olds killed or seriously injured on the roads in the borough. In 2010, no young person was killed as a result of road traffic collisions, which was a marked difference to 2006, before the Custom Cruisers project began, when some 20 young people were either fatally wounded or injured in RTCs.
The aim of the group, which meets every Thursday night during term-time, is to show young drivers how to 'do it safely' - either modifying their cars to legal and safe requirements, or giving them additional skills to be better drivers. Motor Vehicle Lecturers at the College, the PSNI Roads Policing Team, and the Limavady DPP bring in guest speakers ranging from Rally Drivers to experts in car music systems to educate the young students how to enjoy their cars safely.
The club hasn't only had an impact on the numbers involved in collisions. The first modification project (RSylv), in which a Nissan Sylvia was transformed by the club, concluded with a raffle of the adapted car and raised £26,000 for the Regional Acquired Brain Injury Unit at Musgrave Hospital.
The new Skyline project will take on board the ideas of the members of the group, allowing them to work in the College's state of the art motor vehicle workshop, and would not be possible without the many sponsors who donate equipment or their time to support the project.
William Semple, Club Chairman said "The RSylv project was very successful, with many young adult males participating on a weekly basis, not only learning how to modify a car legally and safely but also learning about motor sport, meeting celebrities from the various motor sport disciplines and improving their driving skills and knowledge."
Mark Luney, European Drift Champion and runner-up in the 2011 British Drift Championship has confirmed that he will attend the launch of the new project and the club welcomes anyone who would like to get involved in the project over the coming months.
Inspector Stephen Haslett added, "Police will continue to engage directly with young road users in an effort to maintain the dramatic reduction in death and serious injury achieved in the Limavady Borough since the RSylv project. We have listened and responded using innovative methods of learning and I look forward to engaging with a new generation of young drivers.
Rosemary Savage of the Limavady DPP said "the District Policing Project continues to be involved with LCC and its appropriate engagement with young drivers. Everyone is welcome to attend and to participate in the project so that together we can change attitudes, improve knowledge and driving skills."
Further information on the www.facebook.com/limavadycustomcruisers
The District Policing Partnership regularly updates its mailing list. If you would like your name removed or an alternative address added, please respond to this email.
Linda R McKee
District Policing Partnership Manager.
t: 028 777 60314
w: www.districtpolicing.com/limavady
6 August 2010
Limavady Custom Cruisers and Jon44w.com Challenge Competition
Limavady Custom Cruisers (a partnership between the Police, Limavady District Policing Partnership and Greystone Centre NWRC) and Jon44w.com, supported by the Public Health Agency and the Road Safety Committee organised an event for young drivers from the North West area.
The event was held at Limavady Gear Company premises and provided 70 young drivers with an opportunity to pit their driving skills and knowledge against each other through a range of challenges. Manoeuvres included an opportunity to drive a lorry, a van, reverse a car and trailer etc. In addition there were a number of team exercises used to demonstrate their knowledge of tyre and vehicle safety. Vehicles were kindly supplied by Lawrence Deehan Driving Academy, Limavady Gear Company, Limavady Custom Cruisres and Donnelly & Taggarts.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service attended with a responder unit and the DOE’s Mobile Enforcement Unit demonstrated the dangers of a dangerously modified car.
Eugene and Charlie Donnelly, well known local rally car drivers also took the opportunity to undertake several of the manoeuvres and to encourage those in attendance “to keep the craic for the track”.
Supporting the event, Inspector Stephen Haslett said “Limavady Custom Cruisers continues to demonstrate their commitment to the club and to road safety. In 2003/04, Limavady DPP identified through consultation local concerns about the disproportionately high proportion of young males who were involved in 'killed and seriously injured' (KSI) collisions, the high volume of modified vehicles and inappropriate use of the road. These concerns were echoed by the Police, other statutory agencies and road safety pressure groups.” Inspector Haslett, applauded the innovation shown by the Club by praising their approach and engagement he added, “The club has worked hard to target the right audience and through use of the media to a wider audience. It gives members the opportunity to modify their cars legally and safely, to develop their driving skills by receiving advanced tuition from both trackskills staff and road traffic officers and to hear the road safety education message in an appropriate way”.
Paul Gallagher, event co-ordinator with Jon44w said “from the club viewpoint, this event was aimed at getting young drivers away from their computers and carparks and to participate in a road safety orientated event. The event was also designed to impart learning through testing driving skills and completion of the team exercises”
On behalf of the Public Health Agency, Brendan Bonner, Head of Health and Social Well Being said, “Addressing injury and loss of life on our roads remains a key priority for the Public Health Agency. In the past 10 years there has been a one third reduction in deaths on our roads however it is vital that we continue to reduce the risk for our younger drivers. Through this work in partnership with other agencies and the community we can make real changes by encouraging our young people to consider changing their lifestyle and behaviours”.
A team from North Coast Cruisers won the overall prize, receiving a crystal trophy and 50% of the costs for completing their advanced driving test.
17 June 2010
Young Adults Driving Experience Day
Under the auspices of Limavady Custom Cruisers, students at Greystone Centre, North West Regional College participated in a driving experience day at Sandy Arthurs Training Service, Aghanloo.
Participants received tuition in driving a car, in learning about the theory of driving, defensive driving skills, role of Roads Policing, road traffic collisions causation factors, drug education and changes in legislation, drink/drug driving and consequences of detection. Several new qualitifed drivers also had the opportunity to improve their driving technique through driving a skid car.
Inspection Stephen Haslett said “Limavady Custom Cruisers is about “doing it safely” and reducing fatalities on our roads. This initiative was a natural extension to the work currently being undertaken and providing a timely reminder to those about to start and drive and to impact upon their driving attitudes, behaviour and skills at an early stage. Those who participated said that the day was beneficial and one of the key lessons was the importance of negotiating a corner correctly”.
Adrian Mullan, College Lecturer said “this initiative was important, not only did it provide driving tips and skills, but also provided general drug education and highlighted the consequences of drink/drug driving. Throughout the day, some of the participants also expressed an interest in joining Limavady Custom Cruisers and we look forward to their participation on a regular basis. Any young person interested is welcome to join the club, which meets on Thursday nights (during college term) at the Greystone Centre, NWRC at 19.30 hours”.
Further information on the www.limavadycustomcruisers.com or the Club’s facebook profile.
Photo: L-R. Adrian Mullan College Lecturer. Mark Durkan College Lecturer, Inspector Stephen Haslett, Linda McKee Limavady District Policing Partnership Manager and NWRC students.
L-R. Sandy Arthur Sandy Arthur Training Services, Constables Stuart Crutchley, Mark McLean, Ian McGregor, Linda McKee Limavady District Policing Partnership Manager, Maurice Doyle Sandy Arthur Training Services, Inspector Stephen Haslett and Adrian Mullan College Lecturer, Chris Arthur Sandy Arthur Training Services and NWRC Students.
- ENDS -
Editors Notes
- Limavady Custom Cruisers Motor Club developed out of an innovative project held in 2007 to engage with those most of risk of being killed and seriously injured on the roads, the young adult male and aims to impact through innovative ways upon their knowledge, skills and attitudes to road safety.
- The Club with a strapline of “Doing it Safely” is jointly sponsored by Limavady District Policing Partnership, the Police, North West Regional College and supported by Limavady Road Safety Committee.
- For further information contact Linda McKee on 077 395 42026.
11 June 2010
The RSylv project was runner up in the Partnership of the Year, Policing with the Community Awards held recently at the Manor House Hotel, Enniskillen. Insp Stephen Haslett and Linda McKee DPP Manager collected the award on behalf of the partnershiip.
In 2007 an innovative project between Roads Policing, Limavady College and the District Policing Partnership working with College students was undertaken to address local concerns surrounding an increase in road traffic fatalities involving the young adult male.
Over 16 weeks, a Nissan Silvia s13 was modified a car in a legal and safe manner into a top specification drift car. Built into the project was an appropriate, informal and interactive educational programme. The final car was raffled off, raising £26,000 for Brain and Spinal Injuries Units, Musgrave Park Hospital where 40% of admissions are victims of a road traffic collision. 23 participants successfully completed the Roadwise drivers scheme to improve their driving skills and experience.
Qualitative evaluation reflected that the project positively impacted on the participants while statistics demonstrate that since the project commenced there has been a drop in the number of road traffic fatalities and a significant reduction in the percentage of young adults who have been the victim of a killed or serious car collision in the Limavady area.
After project completion, at the request of the students, a motor club has been formed and given that a key component in many road traffic collisions is lack of driving skills, the motor club, with an Executive Committee elected by members, focuses on ‘doing it safely’. Key club objectives are to improve driver skills and promotion of the advanced driving test. In 2008, Roads Policing Maydown secured permission to donate their Ford Mondeo ST220 to the project and along with two Vauxhall Astras these were modified by members for track use. Roads Policing Officers and Trackskills Staff coach members in their driving skills and four track days have been held at Kirkistown race track. The response by other track users has been very positive with one 'Westfield' driver saying, "The guys in the Astras had prepared the cars to track, it's a great way of keeping the speed off the road and actually teaching them how to drive". The club also participates annually in road safety competitions organised by the Road Safety Committee. The Fire and Rescue Service have also been involved, provided demonstrations on how they undertake an extraction from a road traffic collision and offering practical first aid advice. Last autumn, members had an opportunity to help set up the cars for the British Saloon Touring Cars track season and to learn more about the regulations at competing level and the driving skills required. Over 50 people attended the recently held public question and answer forum with a panel of representatives from Roads Policing, Public Prosecution Service, DVA Testing, DVA Enforcement & Compliance Unit, DVA Driver Licensing, DVA Driver & Vehicle Licensing Enquiries, an insurance broker and a solicitor.
In 2009, one member gained his advanced driving test and a further 10 members have expressed an interest in completing their advanced driving test this year. Plans for incoming months include an under 17 driving experience event, teaching advance driving skills through use of a skid car, organisations of a road safety event, further track days and promotion of the advanced driving test.
The club meets weekly (during College term) with a monthly education programme at the Centre of Technology, Greystone Road, Limavady and while targeting at the 16-25 year old is open to all interested.
Further information can be found on www.limavadycustomcruisers.com or the facebook page.
CRUISERS TAKE DELIVERY OF BRIAN JAMES CAR TRANSPORTER JUST-IN-TIME FOR THEIR DRIVER IMPROVEMENT DAY TO BE HELD AT KIRKISTOWN RACE TRACK - 19 MAY 2010
Laurence McMullan, Sales Manager for Wilson’s of Rathkenny recently delivered the new car transporter to Limavady Custom Cruisers and said “Wilson’s has been delighted to quote competitively for this trailer. As suppliers of a wide range of vehicles and machinery we want people to enjoy their purchase but also to be aware that inappropriately used, can cause heartache and carnage. The opportunity for Wilsons to support the work of Limavady Custom Cruisers as it “promotes road safety and the responsible use of motor vehicles, while improving and developing driving skills.” is close to the heart of our business.
Inspector Stephen Haslett, taking delivery of the trailer said “the Police in providing this car transporter to Limavady Custom Cruisers continue to demonstrate their commitment to the club and to road safety. In 2003/04, Limavady DPP identified through consultation local concerns about the disproportionately high proportion of young males who were involved in ‘killed and seriously injured’ (KSI) collisions, the high volume of modified vehicles and inappropriate use of the road. These concerns were echoed by the Police, other statutory agencies and road safety pressure groups. The Club has innovatively sought to work and engage with this target audience and through use of the media to a wider audience. Members get the opportunity to modify their cars legally and safely, to develop their driving skills by receiving advanced tuition from both trackskills staff and road traffic officers and to hear the road safety education message in an appropriate way.
While a direct correlation cannot be proven, since the club was formed the number of those killed and seriously injured on our roads in Limavady Borough has dropped by almost 50% (from 53 (2004) to 28 (2009) against a reduction of 12% across Northern Ireland. In 2006, 50% of those involved in an accident classified as ‘killed or seriously injured’ in Limavady were from the 16-24 year old age group, this have now fallen to 29% in 2009, below the north-west district average (35%) and N. Ireland average (32%).
Any young person interested is welcome to attend the club, which meets on Thursday nights, at the Greystone Centre, NWRC at 19.30 hours.
Further information on the www.limavadycustomcruisers.com or the Club’s facebook profile.
Photo: L-R. Adrian Mullan College Lecturer. Linda McKee Limavady District Policing Partnership Manager. Laurence McMullan Wilson’s of Rathkenny. Sheila McWilliams Limavady District Policing Partnership Vice Chair.
FORUM NIGHT – 29 MARCH 2010
Limavady Custom Cruisers held a successful forum evening where the audience were able to pose their burning questions to a panel which included representatives from the fields of Public Prosecution Service, Insurance, Roads Policing, DVA Testing, DVA Enforcement & Compliance Unit, DVA Driver Licensing, DVA Driver & Vehicle Licensing Enquiries, the District Policing Partnership and a Solicitor. Sarah Brett, Presenter Radio Foyle hosted the evening. The questions and discussion were wide-ranging, good humoured and covered a range of subjects including number plates, tinting, lights, sunstrips, insurance, registration of imported cars, headlights, modifications, alloys, insurance and the difference in penalties between speeding and dangerous driving. Answers were often multi-faceted and provided by different members of the panel and discussed continued in the workshop after the forum had concluded.
A rep from Meguiars demonstrated how to detail a car and those in attendance had the opportunity to try the various Meguiars products on a car.
POSTER COMPETITION – MARCH 2010
Simon Blair was the winner of a competition to design a poster to promote a forum night organised by Limavady Custom Cruisers on behalf of Limavady District Policing Partnership.
PARTNERSHIP AWARD – 15 MARCH 2010
Roads Policing won the regional heats for their contribution to the RSylv project and now go forward to the N Ireland finals. Inspector Stephen Haslett brought the framed certificate and the engraved glass plague to show to LCC members.
PROJECT EVO LAUNCH – 12 MARCH – STORMONT
Roads Policing launched the new Project Evo today at Stormont. Minister Poots had the honour of removing the chequered flag. Members of Limavady Custom Cruisers along with the ST were also there and had an opportunity of seeing the Evo up close and personal. www.psni.police.uk/150310_modifying_cars_modifying_behaviour
LIMAVADY CUSTOM CRUISERS AGM- 11 FEBRUARY 2010
Members of Limavady Custom Cruisers at their AGM appointed Adrian Mullan, to the position of Chair and Gregg Hyndman to the position of Vice-Chair. Chris Blair, Chris McIlvor, David Bradley, Jonathan Mullan, Laimonas Rimkus, Nathan Lindsay, Neil Hyndman, Paul Corscadden and Simon Blair were appointed to the Members Forum. Executive Committee members are: Adrian Mullan, Linda McKee, Rosemary Savage, Stephen Haslett and William Semple.
Adrian Mullan, College Lecturer on his election said “Limavady Custom Cruisers is all about ‘Doing it Safely’ and the club seeks to influence driver behaviour and develop driving skills. In line with our innovative approach taken to date, the Members Forum has been tasked with developing an exciting and appropriate programme keeping in mind our core values. The club is open to anyone interested and meets each Thursday evening at Limavady College, Greystone Road”.
LIMAVADY CUSTOM CRUISERS CONTINUING TO DEVELOP THEIR DRIVING SKILLS - 26 NOVEMBER 2009
Members of Limavady Custom Cruisers with their two red Astras recently attended Kirkistown Race track for the last track event of the season.
Paul Corscadden, member of Limavady Custom Cruisers wrote for the club website after the last visit “When we left Limavady we thought it was going to be a wet day. However the closer we got to Kirkistown the drier it got and thankfully it stayed dry throughout the day. When we got there the more mechanically minded started to change the leaking fuel tank in the diesel Astra. When this was finished all of the drivers registered and we started up the mighty Astras. The first two drivers were let loose on the track. The two cars were evenly matched and this led to some competition between the drivers. As the day rolled on both cars took all the abuse very well with them only needing to come in for fuel. This time at Kirkistown it was a proper track skills days so there were a lot of very expensive high performance cars there. This meant that we got a look round all of them. As always the other drivers and the police officers were very friendly. This was the first time that there were other cars on the track, that of similar power, so we got to watch some good races throughout the day. All in all it was a very enjoyable day with the weather staying favourable and the cars being reliable.”
One regular after the event commented on a website “fair play to the boys in the red astras, they kept it tidy and no messing about. Just shows you can have a good day in anything”.
Another regular who drove a Westfield said “The guys in the astras had prepared the cars to track, its a great way of keep the speed of the road and actually teaching them how to drive”
Donal O'Neill from Trackskills also praised the members by placing on the Trackskills website “we ran a couple of 'special' track days, mid week, during the year to facilitate the members from Limavady Custom Cruisers. It was a pleasure to welcome them at the last date of 2009 and they fitted in well with our regulars. The P.S.N.I. came down too and did some filming of the boys on track. There is no doubt that doing track days improves the skills and knowledge of drivers.
Adrian Mullan, College Lecturer and Vice-Chair of Limavady Custom Cruisers said “the club is about “doing it safety” and this opportunity provides the members with an opportunity to develop their driving skills in a controlled environment and to benefit from expert tuition. The day also provided everyone with the opportunity to prepare the cars for driving on the track. An emphasis was placed on keeping speed for the track while transferring knowledge gained to their everyday driving”.
LIMAVADY CUSTOM CRUISERS PARTICIPATE IN MODIFIED CAR AND RALLY SHOW, KINGS HALL - 05 OCTOBER 2009
Limavady Custom Cruisers members were granted a stand at the recently held two day MCAR Show held at the Kings Hall. Members took the modified Ford Mondeo ST220 (donated by PSNI Transport Services) and used the opportunity to talk to the public about the project and the objectives of Limavady Custom Cruisers.
The Show also provided the members with the opportunity to see some of the other top-end machinery on display and to watch the Triple Black Drift Team in action.
William Semple, College Lecturer and Chair of Limavady Custom Cruisers said “the club is about “doing it safety” and this was a key opportunity to sell the road safety message and to talk about the innovative methods the club has used to develop driving skills and impact upon driver behaviour.
LIMAVADY CUSTOM CRUISERS - HISTORY
Limavady Custom Cruisers Motor Club developed out of an innovative project held in 2007 to engage with those most of risk of being killed and seriously injured on the roads, the young adult male and aims to impact through innovative ways upon their knowledge, skills and attitudes to road safety. The project modified a car legally and safely and alongside delivered an innovative education programme.
The Club with a strapline of “Doing it Safely” is jointly sponsored by Limavady District Policing Partnership, the Police, North West Regional College and supported by Limavady Road Safety Committee.
Limavady Custom Cruisers Final Report - October 2007 (pdf 462 KB)
