My name is Riley Via-Silva, and I am from Torrevieja, on the Costa Blanca.

I grew up here, in a place where languages, accents, and cultures mix every day. My father is Spanish, my mother is English, and between home, school, and the people around me, English and Spanish have always been part of my life. It never felt unusual. It just felt normal.

Because of that, I learned quite early that people can look at the same thing and understand it in different ways.

That matters more than people realise.

As I grew up, the way I moved around changed.

I walked.
I cycled.
I used an e-scooter.
I rode a moped, then a motorbike, and eventually I learned to drive.

At each step, I thought I understood what I was doing. And each time, I realised there was more to learn.

That is something I still carry with me now.

I am still learning.

One of the things I began to notice, especially living in a place like this, is that many people are not doing the wrong thing on purpose. They are doing what they believe is right, based on what they have been taught.

The problem is that roads do not work the same everywhere.

Different countries have different rules. Different habits. Different expectations.

So sometimes, what feels correct in one place is not correct in another.

And people do not always realise that.

That is where I found my place. I joined the N332 Road Safety Project as the first Youth Ambassador, so I could help share useful information with people like me, and share our experiences with those who may not realise what we feel.

Not telling people they are wrong.
Not speaking down to anyone.

But helping to explain why things are different.

Because when you understand something, you are far more likely to do it properly.

Alongside that, I have always enjoyed staying active. I like running, hiking, and cycling, and I also spend time on yoga and dance. It helps me stay balanced, both physically and mentally.

Music has always been part of my life too. I play the violin, which I chose because it felt a little different. Growing up, there was always music around me, especially soft jazz and classic voices like Doris Day, Alma Cogan, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nat King Cole. I think that influenced the way I see things — calm, steady, and with attention to detail, and is a big influence on my music, well, mostly.

I also care about the environment, and about animals. I try to make choices that reflect that, even in small ways.

And yes, I do like chocolate. And pizza. Probably more than I should. But I believe balance matters.

There is also another side to what I do.

You might have seen a different version of me — a younger, animated one. She helps explain things in a simpler way, especially for younger people. I like to think of her as part of the same journey, just at a different stage.

We are not separate.
We are just reaching people in different ways.

If there is one thing I have learned so far, it is this:

Understanding matters more than assumption.

Most people are not careless. They are simply working with what they know.

I am still learning every day, and I expect that will never stop. But if I can help someone understand something a little more clearly, and that helps them make a better decision, then that is enough.

Because on the road, and in life, small decisions matter.

And we all share the same space.