A DRAMATIC car crash sculpture has become the powerful centrepiece of Coleg Cambria’s new Arrive and Alive road safety campaign.
Unveiled at the college’s Bersham Road site in Wrexham, the striking “Impact Plinth” depicts a car embedded into a brick wall – a bold and permanent reminder of the devastating consequences that can follow a split-second decision behind the wheel.
Created by lecturers and students in just one week, the installation is designed to stop people in their tracks.
It stands as the beacon of Arrive and Alive, an initiative driven by Cambria and supported by North Wales Police, Wrexham County Borough Council and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to reduce serious vehicle incidents involving young drivers and promote safer driving.
Helping launch the campaign was Crystal Owen, whose emotional speech to students brought home the real-life impact behind the message.
Crystal has been appealing for the introduction of Graduated Driving Licences (GDL) since the tragic death of her 17-year-old son Harvey Owen and his three best friends in a crash in North Wales in 2023.
Speaking directly to learners, she shared her family’s heartbreak and urged young people to understand that road safety is not about rules and restrictions, but about protecting lives.
She said: “We are not trying to scare you out of driving, but to be careful. I have never understood grief like this. People search for words – heartbreak, grief – none of them come close. It is like your life has imploded.
“Children are not supposed to go before their parents. What makes it unbearable is knowing this did not have to happen.”
Crystal added: “The statistics around young drivers who have just passed their test are so high, which is why we are calling for graduated driving licences.
“Harvey also lost three of his long-standing best friends that day. All gone at once. He will forever be 17. We are not just talking about laws and restrictions, but lives.”
The pilot event brought together learners, staff, emergency services and road safety partners for demonstrations, talks and workshops designed to give young people vital, potentially life-saving knowledge.
At the heart of the day was the Impact Plinth, with organisers making clear that the sculpture is not simply about a crash scene, but about everything that happens afterwards – the trauma, grief and life-changing consequences for families, friends and entire communities.
Karl Jackson, Assistant Principal for the Institute of Technology and Site Lead at Bersham Road, said: “The plinth was built in just a week, that’s the Bersham way. It makes you think and it is important for us to capture as many young minds as possible.
“We will be holding events like this twice a year with this as the centrepiece and thank our partners. This was constructed as a visual reminder, not about a car going into a wall, it’s the impact of everything that happens after that collision.
“That impact cannot be measured. Shock, fear, guilt, even anger. We care for our young people, think about the family, the phone call they may receive, or your family.
“An unexpected event can affect so many lives, and we want you to think about that.”
Driving development specialist Kate Pearson, alongside experienced instructor Stuart Walker, also addressed learners on the importance of continuing education after passing a driving test.
Kate said: “Your first year after passing your test is crucial, when you are most likely to have a crash. It can be one decision that causes a fatal crash, so make the right ones.”
Sergeant John Prichard of the North Wales Police Roads Crime Unit added: “This is a great initiative to raise awareness and help to educate young people about the importance of staying safe on the roads.
“Sadly, young drivers are much more likely to be involved in road traffic collisions, often due to inexperience and a lack of knowledge on the risks. It’s important that new drivers are made aware of their responsibilities and of the devastating consequences that can occur.”
Throughout the day, learners also took part in demonstrations from paramedics and first responders, HGV training sessions, advanced driving workshops, police practice stops and Q&A sessions.
Anybody with concerns around road safety, or who has information around anybody who may be committing an offence is asked to contact North Wales Police via the website or by calling 101. In an emergency always dial 999.
