Pupils learn about driving responsibilities
Pupils across South Lanarkshire have been learning about the responsibilities involved in becoming a driver and having your own car.
The road safety play, Friends Disunited, is aimed at senior secondary school pupils and over the past few weeks has been performed at Stonelaw High School, Uddingston Grammar, Strathaven Academy, Rutherglen High School, Hamilton Grammar and Duncanrig Secondary.
The play follows the lives of four friends, one of whom gets a new car for their birthday. The car will be their passage into adulthood – they will be able to travel to gigs and concerts, away football games and anything else that takes their fancy.
However, it doesn't take long before the harmony of the group evaporates and the friendships begin to fragment, as the play culminates in a car crash that leaves their lives badly affected.
The play illustrates how the dreams and ambitions of young people can be utterly shattered by the inexperience and over-confidence of a young driver and although it contains a serious message is humourous and witty.
Chair of South Lanarkshire Council's Roads Safety Forum, Councillor John Murray, said: "This was a wonderfully thought-provoking play which was very funny at times but contained a very serious message.
"The statistics concerning young people who have recently passed their tests and are involved in accidents is quite horrific, but it is through events such as this that the road safety message will get through.
"We have to engage our young people in a way they will find entertaining but still ensuring the road safety message is relayed.
"The play did this brilliantly and I would like to thank the Baldy Bane Theatre Company for visiting our schools."
Teaching materials are available to accompany the play, which include a copy of the script, teachers' notes, suggested lesson plans and pupil worksheets.