RAC’s Community Education team will take a trip to Leeman Primary School next week to educate students about staying safe on the roads.
RAC General Manager Corporate Affairs, Will Golsby said 43 lives had already been lost on regional roads this year and it was crucial to educate students about road safety to reduce fatalities and serious injuries.
“The continued loss of lives and serious injuries on our roads shows how vital it is to educate students about staying safe, whether as a pedestrian, passenger or driver,” Mr Golsby said.
“Young drivers continue to be over-represented in WA’s road trauma figures and, tragically, are at much higher risk of being killed or seriously injured on our roads.”
“Combine this with driving in regional areas, where the fatality rate is five times higher than Perth metropolitan, and it is clear young people in regional WA are at an even higher risk.
“Drivers are also becoming increasingly distracted, with inattention now comparable to the number of deaths and serious injuries caused by speed and drink driving.
RAC’s recent Young Driver Survey found that more than 50% of young drivers are using their phones behind the wheel.
“These results are very concerning and show that while young drivers recognise risky behaviour on the roads, many still engage in them,” Mr Golsby said.
“We want to help change young driver attitudes by ensuring future generations of drivers have a good understanding of road safety and the consequences of bad decisions.”
Leeman Primary School Principal, Jacqueline Miller said RAC’s Community Education program has played an important role in the schools road safety agenda.
“Annual visits from RAC Community Education have been an integral part of our road safety program, helping our students to move around Leeman and Greenhead safely,” Ms Miller said.
RAC’s Community Education team teaches students about the importance of safe driving and being a responsible passenger, as well as the effects of alcohol, speed, reckless behaviour and inattention.
The presentations are tailored according to the needs of the school and combine visual, factual and interactive learning activities in a road safety workshop.
In addition to the workshops, RAC also suggests students and parents utilise other road safety programs such as keys2drive which gives learner drivers a free driving lesson with an accredited instructor.
For more information about RAC Community Education, visit here
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Media Contact: Mikayla Wearne 0401 703 719 or media@rac.com.au
