The RAC Community Education team is heading to the South West next week to educate students and young drivers about staying safe on the roads.
RAC general manager of 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.
“Tragically, 161 loved ones were lost on our roads last year,” Mr Golsby said.
“Of those, people aged 17 to 19 accounted for 10 per cent of the fatalities despite only making up four per cent of the population.
“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 Goldsby said 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 driving.
“RAC’s most recent young driver survey showed more than half of those surveyed sent or read a text message while driving, while 84 per cent admitted to driving while tired or fatigued,” he said.
“These students are our next generation of drivers and we want to ensure they have a good understanding of road safety and the consequences of bad decisions.”
The team will visit Australind, Newton Moore and Harvey Senior High Schools, Eaton Community College, Manea and Dalyellup Colleges and the WA College of Agriculture Harvey.
On Wednesday, students who attend the senior school engagement program at Dalyellup College took part in the 2016 youth driver development program.
The students visited the RAC driving training school at the Bunbury Speedway to learn about being a safe and responsible road user.
They also learnt how to maintain and drive a manual car in a controlled learning environment.
Dalyellup College teacher Jaymee Job said courses like this are important because young people learn to drive by watching other people drive as much as by actually getting behind the wheel.
Student Lachlan Hindle said the course was a great one for him to volunteer for.
“It has been super hands-on and a good way to get out of the class and learn something new,” he said.
“Lots of young people need the training and I’ve learned some great things about turning, breaking and driving a manual car.”
Piacentini & Sons and the Shire of Capel provided funding to allow the students to complete the program.
For more information about the RAC Community Education team visit the RAC website.
