Seminar aimed at teenage drivers
Recent tragic events on the North Coast and across NSW have galvanised community concern about the safety of young people on our roads, according to the North Coast Area Health Service.
It says that 17-year-old P1 Licence holders are four times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than drivers over the age of 25. “Young drivers lack experience, are easily distracted and have more confidence than skills,” the service said.
It said that 2000 Year 11 students from 25 schools wouls attend RRISK Seminars at Southern Cross University in Lismore from November 21-23 and at the Tweed Heads Civic Centre on November 24.
The RRISK program which has been running on the North Coast for the last eight years encourages young people to develop sound decision-making skills that will help them make fewer risky choices in relation to driving, alcohol and drug use and partying.
“RRISK is all about empowering students to develop the right attitudes”, said Reyna Dight, c-oordinator of Alcohol Projects, North Coast Area Health Service.
“Sixteen and seventeen year olds are at the developmental stage when risk taking and testing boundaries are normal behaviours.
“RRISK’s take-home messages are know the facts, make informed decisions, plan ahead and look after friends. Our evaluations show that students take ownership of these messages.
“This year we have trained over 170 students to lead small groups so that all students have the opportunity to discuss risky situations involving driving and socialising and think about the protective behaviours they need to put in place.”
Ray Clark, Road Safety Officer with Tweed Shire Council, said: “Every student attending RRISK will get to experience how easy it is to be distracted behind the wheel and how many complex tasks need to be put together to become a competent driver.
“This new young driver session will also be highlighting the responsibility of passengers in not distracting drivers.”
The RRISK Seminars are the product of a partnership between North Coast Area Health Service, Department of Education and Training, Catholic Education Office, Lismore City, Tweed and Ballina Shire Councils with support from NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, NSW SES, Southern Cross University, YouthSafe NRMA and Motor Accidents Authority.
