Motor racing legend John Surtees visited Kent Fire and Rescue’s new Road Safety Facility in Rochester yesterday.

The facility, in Marconi Way, aims to reduce the amount of people killed or seriously injured on roads across the county by encouraging people to look at the potential consequences of accidents for themselves, their passengers, other drivers and their families.

The centre, aimed at young people aged 14-25, has stimulated accident scenes, interactive learning and experience zones and training rooms where visitors can learn more about how to stay safe on Kent’s roads.

Mr Surtees is a British former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and Formula 1 driver.

He visited the facility to see how The Henry Surtees Foundation and Kent, Fire and Rescue Service can work together to provide young people across Kent with road safety training.

He set up the foundation in memory of his son, Henry, who was killed driving in the Formula 2 championship at Brands Hatch in July 2009, aged 18.

The Foundation aims to assist people with accidental brain and physical injuries.

Mr Surtees said: “Since taking over full ownership of the Buckmore Park Kart Circuit last year it has always been my intention to put in place facilities to help educate, train and develop young people in not just Motorsport but Road Safety as well.

“By not only demonstrating these risks but also by allowing young people to experience being on four wheels in a controlled and well organised manner, I have seen how youngsters can develop and grow as individuals.

“It is my hope that by working with Kent, Fire & Rescue Service myself, The Henry Surtees Foundation and Buckmore Park can help build on this first class facility and take this development to a further level.”

Alan Faulkner, crew manager at the Road Safety Experience, said: “We were delighted to welcome John Surtees to ‘The Road Safety Experience’ and showcase our new, interactive road safety facility, which aims to give young people the skills they need to make better informed decisions in all driver and passenger situations and to improve their safety and those of other road users.

"We look forward to working with the Henry Surtees Foundation and exploring the possibility of developing a learning module at the centre, specifically targeted towards budding go-carters and aspiring young motor-racing drivers.”