Two new programs seek to provide secondary students with the tools to become safer drivers in the future.
RoadSafe Westgate teamed up with Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton and Wyndham councils in an initiative to offer young drivers and potential young drivers with best-practice programs on driver behaviour.
RoadSafe Westgate chair Jim Giddings said young drivers were at the greatest risk of being involved in road incidents immediately after obtaining their licences.
“Young drivers comprise a small proportion of licensed drivers yet are substantially more involved and over-represented in road crashes, fatalities and injuries,” he said.
Fit2Drive, a half-day workshop for year 11 students, and Looking After Our Mates, a 45-minute session for year 12 students, aims to change the attitudes of young people about risky driving and take responsibility for their peers’ safety on the road.
Fit2Drive program team leader Courtney Harman teaches secondary students how to be safer road users and arms them with strategies to respond to different situations.
Both programs are offered at participating secondary colleges and endorsed by VicRoads and the TAC.
The Victorian Community Road Safety Partnership Program contributes funding to support RoadSafe Westgate in addressing local road safety issues within a number of municipalities.
Inquiries: Gavin MacDonald (Fit2Drive) 0405 456 496 or Mark Stone (Looking After Your Mates) 0409 384 619
