A new road safety program is equipping Wyndham migrants with the knowledge to deal with car crashes.
The ‘‘Had a Crash’’ campaign – a joint project of Werribee police, the Wyndham Humanitarian Network, Wyndham Legal Service and Tarneit MP Tim Pallas – was created in response to the many migrant drivers frequenting Wyndham’s roads.
Migrants are given educational stickers outlining, in their native tongue, the steps to take if they are involved in a smash. The information also includes their legal obligations in the aftermath.
Wyndham Humanitarian Network chairwoman Jennie Barrera said stickers were available in English, Karen, Burmese and Arabic. She said migrant drivers were often extremely distressed following road smashes, in part because Australian road laws differ greatly from those in their homeland.
“The sticker is a tool that will assist them to be independent and help themselves,” Ms Barrera said. “We have brought together the perspective of the police, our settlement workers and the Wyndham Legal Service to create the best sticker that tells them step-by-step what to do.”
Karen migrant Say Htoo Eh Moero moved to Australia 14 years ago and works as a settlement officer helping newly arrived residents, many of whom are learning to drive. “It can be very challenging for people to learn all the road rules and remember everything when they start driving,” she said.
“When I first arrived I had to learn to drive, too, and I wish there had been stickers like these to help me remember.”
Werribee police multicultural liaison officer Leading Senior Constable Richard Dove said many migrant drivers involved in crashes got into further trouble because they didn’t understand correct procedures.
“It can be devastating when a newly arrived migrant discovers they’ve not only had a crash but are now subject to charges which could see them heavily fined or facing a magistrate,” he said.
“The stickers will alleviate a lot of unnecessary worry and hardship on an already disadvantaged group of people.”
The stickers are available from a clinic held every Monday from 10am to midday at Wyndham Legal Service, 10/2-14 Station Place, Werribee.
