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    Program Outline:

The program does not begin to teach drivers, P or L platers ‘actual driving skills’ gained from professionals in that field, rather it is about empowering them with the knowledge and skills needed to stay safe on the roads.


The ROADWHYZ Choices and Consequence program seeks to encourage students to ask questions of the experts in a safe professional environment, without feeling under pressure. It is not a program that seeks to scold young drivers for their behaviour; rather it is an opportunity for students to ask questions that may not be answered by normal means such as, through family and friends or media campaigns.


ROADwhyz includes regular guest speakers including parents that have lost teen children as the result of risk taking behaviour, information about fines incurred and what can and cannot be done to the vehicle in terms of modifications is also included.


The program contains photographic and DVD footage of road crashes and the results of road to trauma to a person. The images are incorporated not to frighten or shock participants, rather to bring attention to just what can happen as a result of reckless behaviour while driving.


Prior warning should go out to all students when presented in a school environment. This can be done in the form of the school newsletter and /or a note signed by a parent or guardian. ROADwhyz can provide such a letter.


Young people by nature are inquisitive and as such often want to know exactly what goes on at the scene of a crash as well as what happens afterwards. They are curious to know the legalities of such crashes in terms of fines and loss of licence. It has also been found that they react far better to real life situations, or at the very least situations they can relate to, hence the reason for the DVD footage and the words of guest speakers who are living the results of road trauma.


Ultimately the main aim of the program is to keep our young people safe on the roads. Risk taking behaviour has become a community concern, as such this programme has been designed by members of the community for the community as a whole, after all a road crash has a ripple effect not only amongst immediate family but the community as a whole.


A one day program Outline – Recommended time frame is 4 hours with a short break in between.

The program Presentation will begin at 9:30am allowing all roll calls and school formalities to be completed, and will conclude by 1:30pm.

The program covers the following areas and is dependent upon the number of presenters available on the day:

  • Effects of speed, keeping your licence and your car
  • Fines incurred
  • Driving instructor- how to teach your learner driver (community program) What you need to know about learning to drive (schools program)
  • Deceleration - What happens to your body in a car crash
  • It can happen to anyone, personal accounts
  • Various other services such as coroners course and Westpac rescue Helicopter service share insight into their roles at the scene of a crash etc

The second half of the day is workshop based where students will be split into approximately 3-4 groups, depending on the amount of volunteer presenters available on the day and the space and time the school can allow. In these groups they will complete activities and have discussions based on the information they have heard through the first part of the day. This is also dependant on the size of the student group.


For High Schools – High Schools are targeted, in particular students in years 11 and 12. The program is delivered as outlined above, over 1- 4 hour block. The presentation will be facilitated by the program co founder and coordinator, Michelle Davis, a former teacher from Hunter Institute of TAFE. Incorporating video and photographic presentations. All students will be presented with a workbook so that questions can be completed during the work shop. Students will also be provided with an information pack relevant to road safety.


All students will be charged $5.00 to assist the ongoing efforts of the ROADwhyz team. An invoice will be sent to the school once final student numbers have been confirmed. A cheque or cash will be collected on the day of the presentation.

Cheques are made payable to ROADwhyz 18 View Street East Maitland, a receipt will be provided


It is asked that the school complete required photo copying for the program, this will be organised on the day to replace the packs that ROADwhyz arrive with.

Outcome 1 - Effects of speed, keeping your licence and your car ,fines incurred

Aim

To show participants the impact of a car crash regardless of the seriousness of the crash. Discuss the factors that affect a driver causing possible injury or harm.

Information presented

  • Increase participant’s awareness of all factors that can affect their driving, including speed, drinking, peer pressure and environmental conditions.
  • Create better understanding of the role of the police officer and build relationships between law enforcement bodies.
  • Highlight legal consequences of risk taking behaviour common to this targeted audience.
  • Explanation of fines and penalties incurred for both the driver and the teacher of the driver in the case of a learner
  1. Discussion of legal modifications that can be done to a car.

Method of delivery

Police Highway Patrol officer to highlight the consequences of driver choices and encourage discussion through question time. A PowerPoint presentation will be shown. Police will ask participants for their own experiences or those of others they know of.


Outcome

Participants will be able to: explain the common causes of car crashes as well as the legal consequences of reckless, risk taking behaviour. They will gain an understanding of the financial consequences of their actions on the road. They will be able to complete a short quiz to demonstrate their knowledge.

Outcome 2 – Deceleration

Aim

To explain what deceleration is and the impact it has on the body. To discuss the difference between an accident and a crash and the injuries sustained.

Information presented

  • Deceleration, what is it?
  • Forces and impact (examples)
  • Injuries associated with Deceleration
  • Real life situation shows how this could happen to anyone

Method of delivery

A Representative of the NSW Ambulance Service to share information on his role as an ambulance officer. Paul will be sharing his personal on the job accounts of real life car crashes and the use of medical terminology to drive home the message. There will also be a DVD shown, while this is quite a graphic method of presentation is it real and has a real impact on the participants encouraging discussion and questions from the participants.


Outcome

Participants will have an understanding of just what the body goes through upon impact in a car crash, including life threatening injuries, long lasting injuries and death as a consequence of their actions.

Outcome 3 - It can happen to you, personal accounts of road trauma

Aim

To show participants that this can happen to them and has happened to many young drivers just like them. To explain the ripple effect a car crash can have on the family.

This part of the program is used to show that reckless and risk taking behaviour can cause not only death but injuries that can be life long.

Information presented

1. Guest speaker – Michelle Amess will share her story of losing two teenage sons in a car crash in 2005

  • Other Guest Speakers as available

Method of delivery

Guest speakers including parents, will share their stories. These stories include the loss of teenagers and injuries sustained buy others and go to show the emotional turmoil such behaviour can cause and the sadness that is left for family and friends. These accounts are usually quite emotional and are shared to show that ‘this can happen to you’. The speakers show the relationship between choice and consequence.


Outcome

Participants will be able to hear and see first hand the consequences of risk taking behaviours and will further reinforce the responsibility of the driver to not only themselves but t others.

At the end of each session.

Participants will be asked to complete a small quiz sheet to further enhance and reinforce the knowledge they have gained. Prizes will be awarded. There will also be lucky door prizes on the day, these include L & P plate holders, L & P magnetic plates and other car related items

The floor will be opened for question and answer time time permitting

It is hoped that as a result of this type of program for both schools and the community, that the number of speed related fines, crashes, injuries and fatalities will be reduced.


The coordinators of the ROADWHYZ Choice and Consequence program strongly believe that education is the key; it is felt by all involved that it is far better to empower the young through education rather than the size of a motor vehicle’s engine.

It is the vision of the ROADwhyz team that this program or something similar become a compulsory part of getting a licence.


Overall outcomes

It is hoped that as a result of this type of program for both schools and the community, that the number of speed related fines, crashes, injuries and fatalities will be reduced.

What the ROADwhyz team needs on the day:

  • 4 hours to deliver the full program
  • White Screen
  • Lap top & Light Projector ( we can supply our own if needed)
  • Microphone
  • A copy of the student work book for each student (to be printed on the day)
  • Teacher helpers for the workshop component for groups of 60 or more students
  • Student to operate the computer and sound etc if using school equipment (if available)
  • Allocated grass or outside area close to parking space for police and Ambulance Vehicle
  • Cheque covering $5.00 for each student attending.
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