RAC General Manager Corporate Affairs, Will Golsby, said the visit is part of working with the community to reduce the number of road fatalities and serious injuries in the region through consistent education and awareness.
“The impact of road trauma is devastating and the continued loss of lives and serious injuries occurring on our roads only reinforces the importance of educating young drivers,” Mr Golsby said.
“Last year, drivers aged 17 to 19 accounted for 10 per cent of the fatalities despite only making up four per cent of the population.
“Tragically, this year there have already been more fatalities on South West roads than the whole of last year.”
The Community Education team teaches students about the importance of safe driving and being a responsible passenger, as well as the effects of alcohol, speed and reckless behaviour.
RAC’s most recent young driver survey showed despite 91 per cent of respondents thinking driving while reading or sending a text message is very risky, 55 per cent admitted to doing so.
“The results of our survey show that while young drivers recognise risky behaviour on the roads, many still engage in these behaviours while driving,” Mr Golsby said.
“We want to ensure the next generation of drivers has a good understanding of road safety and the consequences of bad decisions.”
During their third trip to the region this year, RAC’s Community Education team will visit Nannup District High School, Pemberton District High School, Northcliffe District High School, Bridgetown District High School, Manjimup Senior High School and Boyup Brook District High School.
The presentations combine visual, factual and interactive learning activities in a road safety workshop.
RAC’s Community Education team travels across regional WA each year and has delivered road safety messages to more than 500,000 students since 2002.
