St Joseph's Nudgee College

May 9, 2008

Queensland Fire and Rescue Service members discussed the importance of safe driving with Nudgee's Year 12 students this week as part of an awareness program.

Station Officer Steven Bates told students the Road Accident Awareness Program (RAAP), run by the Department of Emergency Services, kicked off because Queensland Fire Service staff were sick of cutting young kids from cars.

"The Service decided that we had to do something and decided the best way to go about reducing accidents involving young people on the roads was to change their minds by giving them the facts," he said.

Mr Bates shared some startling statistics with the students regarding road accidents and fatalities, including the fact drivers aged 17-24 make up 27 per cent of all road fatalities.

He said drivers in this age group are also most at risk of having an accident despite the fact they account for only 11 per cent of the population.

Videos showing a re-enactment of a road accident and interviews with a young woman who suffered massive injuries as a result of being a passenger in a car where three of her friends died gave the students an insiders view of what can happen.

The real life stories and photos the presenters used as examples also showed students the unfortunate consequences of bad decisions, whether they are the driver or a passenger.

Service members said for every fatality that occurs on the road there were between 200-400 people affected. This included the immediate family, friends, teachers, the emergency services personnel at the scene, those who delivered the bad news, hospital staff and the coroner.

The presenters said the highest risk times for road accidents are Friday night, Saturday and Sunday, which is probably due to the fact that young people have to think for themselves during these times.

"During the week most young people have a very structured life," presenter Eric Chambers said.

"On the weekends though they tend to have a lot more free time and they are on the roads more."

The presenters gave students some tips to help avoid becoming a statistic, such as looking after designated drivers by ensuring they have soft drinks and food while others are drinking and keeping money on the fridge or in your sock for a taxi to get you home.

Director of Students (Years 10-12) Mr Martin Wiseman said programs such as RAAP are important for senior students given the high percentage of drivers in road accidents who are young men.

"Nudgee College allows students to drive themselves to school and, given the statistics, it would be irresponsible of us as a College not to provide our students with the information and tools they need to drive safely," he said.