Many NSW communities continue to reel from the horrific summer death toll and authorities are moving to implement a raft of new road safety measures after what has been called “a summer of carnage”.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
NSW Roads Minister Melinda Pavey says one of the biggest challenges remains on country roads, which accounted for almost 70 per cent of the State’s road toll last year.
"If you live in the country you are four times more likely to die in a road crash than if you live in metro NSW," Pavey said.
Many rural communities are realising that more need to be done and are taking the initiative with increased education for novice drivers recognised as a key to a long-term reduction in road trauma.
The combined Rotary Clubs of the Eurobodalla and industry leader, Road Safety Education Limited (RSE) brought the award-winning youth road safety program RYDA to more than 280 students from five Eurobodalla Shire high schools in March.
Held at the Moruya Jockey Club, the RYDA program has run for 11 years, and this year will celebrated the 2000th student to attend.
RSE, a national not-for-profit organisation, offers the program at about 90 venues across Australia and New Zealand, and more than half a million students have attended.
“RYDA is a series of practical and powerful workshops for high school students that challenge students to change the way they think about road safety and lay the foundation for safe road use throughout their lives”, Greg Rappo, RSE Program Director, said.
“RYDA focuses on building and increasing social competency and resilience and motivating low-risk behavior. Trained facilitators work with students to develop and practise personal strategies which will help them respond positively to challenges on the road, both as drivers and highly influential passengers.
“This education doesn’t come from driving lessons, or the school classroom”.
Eurobodalla Shire coordinator Neil Simpson said too many young people were at risk.
“Young people continue to be over represented in road crash statistics. One young person dies on Australian roads almost every day. For every life lost, another 20 are forever changed due to serious injuries. The most dangerous time for any young road user is in the first six to 12 months of being a solo driver.”
Visit www.rse.org.au