A record number of students are registered to attend this year’s event, the fifth of its kind in WA since 2012.
RAC Executive General Manager Advocacy and Member Benefits Pat Walker said students attending RAC bstreetsmart will watch the re-enactment of a serious car crash, which uses actors from the Theatrical Response Group as victims and real-life paramedics, firefighters and police to demonstrate how WA’s emergency services respond and the impact on those involved.
“Young drivers are among the State’s most vulnerable and are over-represented in the crash statistics. In 2015, young drivers aged 17 to 24 made up 20 per cent of road fatalities, but only accounted for 11 per cent of the population,” Mr Walker said.
“RAC bstreetsmart aims to reduce the fatality and injury rates of young people by exposing students to the realities of road trauma and encouraging them to be safer drivers.”
The dramatisation is based on a true story and follows the journey of three young people from prior to the crash right through to Police having to inform the next of kin.
Students will hear from three guest speakers who will share personal stories of how their lives have been impacted by road trauma as a result of poor choices behind the wheel.
WA Police Superintendent Ian Clarke said RAC bstreetsmart is another step forward in educating our young and most inexperienced road users on the very real dangers they face when they start driving.
“WA Police deal far too often with the aftermath of fatal or serious crashes on our highways and the trauma of dealing with families, often notifying parents and loved ones of the loss of a child,” Mr Clarke said.
“We hope the realistic sight and sounds of this event will highlight the trauma the police have to deal with and instil good attitudes and behaviours in these young drivers.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services Operations Deputy Commissioner Lloyd Bailey said firefighters worked closely with other emergency services at the scene of road crashes and this collaboration is reflected through initiatives such as RAC bstreetsmart.
“Firefighters see the devastation road crashes cause when they attend to free injured or trapped people. Ultimately we would all like to see crashes avoided in the first place and this is why we wholeheartedly support initiatives such as RAC bstreetsmart,” Mr Bailey said.
St John Ambulance WA General Manager Event Health Services Phil Martin said the cost of road trauma to the community is enormous.
“Our paramedics and volunteer ambulance officers see young lives shattered because of road accidents almost on a daily basis,” he said.
“Many factors contribute to motor vehicle accidents, but education of drivers, particularly younger drivers, is important as it saves lives.
“It’s also important that everybody takes on the responsibility of learning first aid which is a vital part of the chain of survival in ensuring the best possible outcome for the patient in road traffic accidents.”
Director of Trauma Service at Royal Perth Hospital Dr Sudhakar Rao said he too regularly sees the consequences of distracted driving.
“As WA’s State Major Trauma Service, our job is to provide the best care to patients after a crash, but the impacts of road trauma extend further than mending broken bones,” he said.
“We provide insight to the real impacts of road trauma which we hope will make young drivers think twice and pay greater attention to the road.”
A second RAC bstreetsmart event will be held on 28 June for students travelling from regional schools to Perth for Country Week. The original concept was developed by Westmead Hospital in New South Wales.
Media Contact: RAC Media Office 0401 703 719 or media@rac.com.au
