Driving the message home to South West youth

High school students from across the South West gathered in Bunbury today (Friday, 20 September) to get an insider’s view to road trauma at the Youth Road Safety Expo.

St John WA has invited local high schools to send students to witness a road crash simulation which has become a major annual education event in the region.

St John Regional Training and Services Coordinator Annette Mateljan said the training combined with the evocative simulation would deliver real and meaningful results.

“Many of these students will soon be at an age when they’ll be able to drive, which is why it’s so important they recognise what can and does happen when drivers become distracted,” she said.

“We hear road safety messages regularly, but often that doesn’t have the same impact as actually seeing the consequences played out before your eyes.

“By showing students what paramedics, police, DFES and first responders see at the scene of a serious crash, we’re ultimately hoping they will think twice before reaching for their phones while driving.”

“Just two seconds of inattention behind the wheel is the same as driving blind for 33 metres. This is one of many messages we’re hoping students take away from the event.”

Annette said the event was another example of St John working in the community to promote first aid.

The event is supported by the Road Safety Commission, City of Bunbury RoadWise, Qube Ports and Bulk, RAC Western Australia, DFES, WA Police, Investing in Our Youth, Industry Road Safety Alliance South West, Road Trauma Support WA and SDERA.