Thousands of year 10-12 students will witness the tragedy and life-changing consequences of road trauma at RAC bstreetsmart, delivered in partnership with WA’s emergency services.
It comes after alarming data from the Road Safety Commission revealed the number of 17 to 19 year olds killed on WA roads last year doubled compared to 2021 figures.
RAC bstreetsmart features a live crash scene re-enactment, response from real-life paramedics, firefighters and police, and first-hand accounts from guest speakers directly impacted by road trauma.
RAC General Manager External Relations Will Golsby said young drivers were among Western Australia’s most vulnerable, and consistently over-represented in crash statistics.
“RAC bstreetsmart educates students about safe driver and passenger behaviour, including the effects of alcohol, speed, reckless behaviour, and distraction,” Mr Golsby said.
“The inexperience and overconfidence of young drivers puts them at significantly higher risk, which is why RAC bstreetsmart aims to provide a lasting wake-up call.”
Robert Pike, who was involved in a tragic car accident which led to the loss of three friends, and the loss of his legs below the knees, will share his personal experience with road trauma.
“My experience is a key example of how the attitude of ‘it won't happen to me’ can have lifelong consequences - not just for yourself, but for your friends and family as well,” Mr Pike said.
“I was a similar age to these students when my life changed forever. I hope my story shows the importance of making safe, responsible decisions behind the wheel.”
Department of Fire and Emergency Services Deputy Commissioner Operations Craig Waters AFSM said firefighters responded to more than 2200 road crash rescue incidents over the past year, including 750 in the first three months of 2023.
“Volunteer and Career firefighters sign up to the job because they want to keep people safe. By educating future drivers we can help to reduce serious injuries and stop young lives being lost," Mr Waters said.
“High school students have their whole future in front of them and this demonstration is about encouraging young people to make safe choices and potentially avoid a life-changing accident.”
WA Police Acting Superintendent Wilson, State Traffic said several behaviours can lead to crashes on our roads.
“Speeding, alcohol and drug use, fatigue, inattention, and motorists not wearing their seatbelt continue to be major issues. An alarming trend, leading to crashes by our younger drivers is ‘distraction’, caused by mobile phone use,” Superintendent Wilson said.
St John WA Executive Director of Ambulance Deon Brink said the event provides future drivers with a first-hand look at the devastation and trauma linked to road crashes.
“We want the event to get through to young drivers, reminding them of the huge responsibility they have when they get behind the wheel,” Mr Brink said.
Nearly 80 schools are registered to attend this year’s event, which means over 80,000 young Western Australians will have seen RAC bstreetsmart since RAC first hosted the event in 2012.
RAC also takes this important message into the regions through RAC Project Road Smart, which travels to various locations in regional WA each year to provide a similar experience and education.
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Media Contact: Olivia Palmer, 0401 703 719 or media@rac.com.au
