April 20, 2012
More than 285 Year 11 students from Murgon, Nanango and Kingaroy State High Schools and St Mary’s Catholic College spent time at the Kingaroy TAFE College this week learning important lessons about road safety.
The RYDA workshops, organised by the Kingaroy Rotary Club, were held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
The teenagers listened to safety talks as well as watching practical demonstrations.
With Geritz Road closed to ensure safe conditions, Queensland Police demonstrated stopping distances at different speeds.
Police officers also spoke about licences, fines, suspensions and demerit points.
South Burnett CTC representatives talked about the importance of having a “Plan B” eg. What should you do if you are with a group of friends and the driver gets intoxicated?
Geoff Castledine, from Rotary, explained there’s a lot more to owning a car than just having fun. He talked about expenses, modifications, car insurance, hire purchase and buying and selling vehicles.
Col Rogerson concentrated on common hazards and distractions, eg. having mates in the car, peripheral vision, driving on dirt roads and learning how to anticipate situations
Students also heard a special presentation from Dennis Greensill who injured his back in a motorcycle accident which left him paralysed. Dennis explained how quickly and easily the accident happened and his long recovery process.
The RYDA program was developed by Road Safety Education Ltd (a not-for-profit company) in conjunction with Rotary Clubs around Australia in response to the tragic loss of young people in road crashes.
Young people aged 17-25 represent less than 15 per cent of the population yet account for about 25 per cent of deaths and injuries on Australian roads.
Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE Acting Campus Business Coordinator Jacquie Henschen said RYDA was a really good initiative which offered different scenarios for teenagers about to embark on their “driving futures”.
The TAFE College has been a partner in helping to facilitate this important event for the past three years.
[UPDATED with correction]
