THE story of a teenager from Ruthin who was killed in a car crash caused by two drivers racing was shared in the Senedd as part of a campaign to make roads safer for young people.
Olivia Alkir, 17, was a passenger when she died in the crash near Ruthin, not far from her home, on June 27 2019.
Her story, featured in a road safety film, was shared with lawmakers, road safety campaigners, the emergency services, and insurance industry representatives. The film, which has been used in schools to encourage road safety and to warn young people of the dangers of poor driving, features her family, friends, and schoolteachers.
The event took place at Ty Hywel on the Senedd estate in Cardiff Bay.
It was organised by the office of Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, Andy Dunbobbin, and was sponsored by North Wales regional Senedd Member Carolyn Thomas MS. Olivia’s mum Jo Alkir, and deputy chair of the Police and Crime Panel and Ruthin resident Pat Astbury, were also present to support the campaign and speak to attendees, who included representatives from the emergency services, Association of British Insurers, road safety campaigners and Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders, North Wales MS Llyr Grufydd and Clwyd West MS Darren Millar.
The special showing of the film was an opportunity to share the message behind the film; Jo is campaigning for a black box to be fitted to every young person’s car to monitor driving and to try and prevent further tragedies like Olivia’s.
Jo said: “It meant a great deal to take Olivia’s Story to the Senedd and to share my beloved daughter’s story with figures from politics, road safety organisations and industry. I am pleased with how the event went and the positive and supportive comments from those who came.
“I am determined to see change happen and to get a black box fitted in all new drivers’ cars, so that what happened to Olivia doesn’t happen to anyone else.
"I would also like to see Olivia’s Story shown to students right across the UK and would encourage anyone who wants to see our children be safer on the roads to join our campaign.”
A black box is a small GPS tracking device installed in a driver’s car that can monitor driving skills. The information gathered via a black box can be used by an insurer to provide a telematics insurance policy. From this information, the insurer can give the driver a score for their driving. This can then affect how much they pay for their car insurance policy.
Such a device ideally encourages drivers to drive more safely.
The power to legislate to make black boxes compulsory lies with the UK Government, but the event at the Senedd was a way of sharing the message in Wales and building momentum for change.
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The film originally premiered at the end of March 2022. Since the launch, lessons are being delivered in all secondary schools in North Wales and the film is being made available nationally via SchoolBeat.
Olivia’s Story has also received national interest, with a number of news outlets running the story of the film and its important message, including the One Show on the BBC.
The target audience for the project is 14 to 20-year-olds within educational settings and colleges.
It is hoped it can rolled out in Youth Clubs, Young Farmers, Police Cadets and any other environment that involves young people within the target age group.
Mr Dunbobbin said: “Road safety is a hugely important issue for our young people and it was an honour to join Jo Alkir at the Senedd to share Olivia’s Story and to call on Welsh Government to join our campaign for black boxes to be fitted in the cars of new drivers.
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"Welsh Government have already shown their commitment to road safety through measures such as the forthcoming 20mph speed limit rule. While making the fitting of black boxes compulsory is a power that lies with the UK Government, it’s hugely important we have these conversations in Wales and with Welsh Government. We need to create a groundswell of support locally to bring about change nationally.”
Richard Debicki, Deputy Chief Constable for North Wales Police, said: “This is a truly heart breaking and powerful film, you cannot help but be moved by it.
“Sadly, young drivers are much more likely to be involved in road traffic collisions, often due to inexperience and a lack of knowledge of the risks. The aim of Olivia’s Story is to help educate young people about the importance of staying safe on the road. New or pre-drivers are the target audience, it aims to help them be aware of their responsibilities and of the devastating consequences that can occur.
“This collision was truly devastating for Olivia’s family and friends. The tragic circumstances surrounding the collision and the fact that Olivia lost her life that afternoon was also felt throughout the whole community of Ruthin.
“Olivia’s Story could not have been made without the support of her parents who have shown tremendous courage in allowing us to tell her story in such a powerful way.
"We are extremely grateful to them, the feedback from across Wales has been overwhelming and today’s event at the Senedd gives us all an opportunity to raise further national awareness of the film."
Olivia came from the Efenechtyd area. She had been appointed deputy head girl at Ysgol Brynhyfryd and was excited about going to university to study architectural engineering.
Olivia was travelling in a Ford Fiesta with two other girls when the driver lost control on a bend at 72mph and hit an oncoming car head-on.
Olivia, who was sitting in the back seat, received massive internal injuries at impact and died at the scene.
Two of her friends also suffered life-changing injuries.
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