The Father of a Teen Killed in Crash Tours Schools to Talk About Road Safety
Eccleshill teenager Saliq Malik, aged 15, was tragically killed after travelling in a Volkswagen Golf in which he was a passenger and hitting a parked car, lamppost and then a wall in Barkerend.
After suffering serious head injuries and passing away in hospital, his father, Amjad Malik aged 38, resolved to travel to schools in the Bradford District to spread the message of road dangers and the impact these fatal accidents had on victim’s families.
With the help of Bradford Council representatives Malik has formed a project called ‘Think Speed, Think Saliq’. Mr Malik said, “We want people to be aware of what could happen.
“It’s straightforward, I would ask teenagers what they get out of going around joyriding.
“We need to get a clear message out to kids and their families and friends.
“I don’t think reckless driving is just a problem in Bradford, it’s a problem across the UK.
“I’m sure many of the kids I speak to have never had a parent of a victim talk to them before.
“I don’t want other parents going through this. The last three months have been hard for us. He is still a part of the family even though he is not around. We go to visit his grave every day.
“There is a lot of pain for the parents and family here. Saliq was jolly and always liked having a laugh and a joke.
“He was only 15 and had plenty of days ahead of him.”
Saliq was studying for his GCSEs at Hanson Academy at the time of the accident, a 17 year old boy has been held on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He has been bailed until March 2015.
The devoted father organised an event to highlight the risks of reckless driving in remembrance of Saliq in City Park, where over 200 people attended. Held at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court, the night was attended by Saliq’s friends and family, Bradford Liberal Democrat East MP David Ward and Bradford Council Labour deputy leader Councillor Imran Hussain.
The event feature rappers, music and traditional road safety messages, an Imam also spoke about issues of safety and responsibility. West Yorkshire Police were also present.
Mr Malik added, “It was the first event of its kind and I hope I can organise similar events during the school summer holidays next year.
“This event was to raise awareness of the consequences of reckless driving.”
