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Over two days in March, we held RAC bstreetsmart at RAC Arena, where a record 14,500 high school students learned the devastating consequences of road trauma.
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Delivered in partnership with WA’s emergency services – WA Police Force, St John WA, Department of Fire and Emergency Services and Royal Perth Hospital - RAC bstreetsmart features a live crash scene re-enactment, and first-hand accounts from victims of road trauma.
RAC bstreetsmart demonstrates the consequences of distracted driving, speeding and drink and drug driving and informs students on how to reduce risk taking behaviours The event is raw and confronting, designed to drive home a lasting message about road safety.
“Road crashes are extremely challenging for our volunteer and career firefighters,” Department of Fire and Emergency Services Deputy Commissioner Craig Waters said.
"Cutting people out of wrecks with horrific injuries or dealing with fatalities can be very confronting and traumatic for our firefighters."
Students heard from powerful guest speakers, including Rob Pike, who was involved in a tragic car crash in which he lost three of his friends, and his legs from below the knees.
“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.
Dr Sudhakar Rao, a retired trauma surgeon and Julian Pace, Founder and CEO of Happiness Co, also shared their stories about the impact of road trauma and how to make the right choices behind the wheel.
Nearly 160 schools attended this year’s event, which now means over 100,000 year 10 to 12 students have seen RAC bstreetsmart since it started in 2012.
RAC also takes this important road safety message into the regions through RAC Project Road Smart®, which travels to various locations in regional WA each year.
