Today, more than 200 students across Northam will learn about the consequences of dangerous driving during RAC Project Road Smart at the Northam Recreation Centre.
The event includes a filmed re-enactment of a serious car crash featuring real-life paramedics, firefighters and police who together demonstrate how WA’s emergency services respond and the impact on those involved.
RAC General Manager Corporate Affairs, Will Golsby, said an alarming number of young drivers were being killed and seriously injured on WA roads, with those aged 17 to 25 at a particularly high risk.
“Young people are often inexperienced and can be over-confident, a deadly combination made worse when driving in regional areas, where the road fatality rate is six times higher than Perth metropolitan,” Mr Golsby said.
“RAC Project Road Smart aims to reduce the number of young people being killed and seriously injured by educating them on road safety and the consequences of bad decisions.
“It’s an important opportunity to deliver a crucial message to future drivers in regional WA– that complacency and reckless behaviour behind the wheel can change your life forever.”
Students will hear from various guest speakers, including representatives from the WA Police Force and St John Ambulance, who will share their personal experiences with road trauma.
Robert Pike, who was involved in a tragic crash which led to the loss of three friends and the loss of his legs from below the knees, will tell his story on the day.
“My story shows how the attitude of ‘it won't happen to me’ can have lifelong ramifications,” Mr Pike said.
“I didn’t think it would happen to us, that I would lose three of my friends, or both my legs, but those are the consequences I have to live with.”
For more information about RAC Project Road Smart, visit the RAC website.
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Media contact: Mikayla Wearne, 0401 703 719 or media@rac.com.au
