Perdita
02-11-2011, 19:15
Hollyoaks bosses have teamed up with the independent road safety charity Brake for a dramatic new storyline featuring police detective Ethan Scott and fresher Rob Edwards.
Ethan, played by Craig Vye, makes a terrible error of judgement later this month when he texts former flames Theresa (Jorgie Porter) and Liberty (Abi Phillips) while driving.
As he isn't keeping his eye on the road, Ethan accidentally runs over Rob (David Atkins) - leaving viewers to wonder if the show's newcomer will live or die.
The new storyline will attempt to combat dangerous driving by highlighting the consequences of texting behind the wheel. The scenes will also help to launch Road Safety Week, which takes place from November 21 with the theme "Too young to die".
Studies show that using a phone to text while driving can increase the risk of crashing by 23 times and cause drivers to take their eyes off the road up to 400% more.
Road crashes are also the biggest killer of young people, with 18 young people being killed or badly hurt every day in the UK.
Brake's campaigns director Julie Townsend commented: "Young drivers need to know that using a phone at the wheel, to text, call or use the internet is incredibly dangerous.
"Too many young lives are lost and ruined through road crashes, which is why it is so important that popular TV shows such as Hollyoaks highlight the appalling consequences of crashes, and the simple things all drivers can do to help avoid them.
"Brake is a charity that supports people who have been bereaved or seriously injured in crashes, so we are all too aware of the suffering caused by drivers taking needless risks like using a phone at the wheel, speeding or drink driving.
"A death or serious injury on the road shatters families and communities, all the more so when the victim is young with their whole life ahead of them. Brake is urging young people, and drivers of all ages, to make a pledge this Road Safety Week to always drive sober, slow and secure to prevent tragedy on our roads."
Hollyoaks' new storyline for Ethan and Rob begins from Monday, November 14 at 6.30pm on Channel 4.
Ethan, played by Craig Vye, makes a terrible error of judgement later this month when he texts former flames Theresa (Jorgie Porter) and Liberty (Abi Phillips) while driving.
As he isn't keeping his eye on the road, Ethan accidentally runs over Rob (David Atkins) - leaving viewers to wonder if the show's newcomer will live or die.
The new storyline will attempt to combat dangerous driving by highlighting the consequences of texting behind the wheel. The scenes will also help to launch Road Safety Week, which takes place from November 21 with the theme "Too young to die".
Studies show that using a phone to text while driving can increase the risk of crashing by 23 times and cause drivers to take their eyes off the road up to 400% more.
Road crashes are also the biggest killer of young people, with 18 young people being killed or badly hurt every day in the UK.
Brake's campaigns director Julie Townsend commented: "Young drivers need to know that using a phone at the wheel, to text, call or use the internet is incredibly dangerous.
"Too many young lives are lost and ruined through road crashes, which is why it is so important that popular TV shows such as Hollyoaks highlight the appalling consequences of crashes, and the simple things all drivers can do to help avoid them.
"Brake is a charity that supports people who have been bereaved or seriously injured in crashes, so we are all too aware of the suffering caused by drivers taking needless risks like using a phone at the wheel, speeding or drink driving.
"A death or serious injury on the road shatters families and communities, all the more so when the victim is young with their whole life ahead of them. Brake is urging young people, and drivers of all ages, to make a pledge this Road Safety Week to always drive sober, slow and secure to prevent tragedy on our roads."
Hollyoaks' new storyline for Ethan and Rob begins from Monday, November 14 at 6.30pm on Channel 4.