New drivers offered free first aid skills ahead of ‘Leavers’ with St John’s Click to Save program

• St John WA is encouraging everyone travelling to Leavers by road to complete its free 30-minute Click to Save course ahead of the much-anticipated break,
• The course provides drivers and passengers with critical skills which could save a life in event of an on-road emergency,
• The Click to Save course has been endorsed by the Road Safety Commission and is included as a resource for new drivers on its website.

St John WA is calling on graduates travelling by road to Leavers to complete a free driver-focused Click to Save first aid program after Road Safety Commission figures revealed the number of road fatalities of people aged 17 to 19 had doubled between 2019 and 2020.

Click to Save is a dedicated educational resource developed by St John for learner and P-plate drivers. The free 30-minute course, which has been endorsed by the Road Safety Commission, aims to equip young drivers with the tools they need to manage a first aid emergency on the road.

Up to 15 per cent of road accident deaths preventable by administering basic first aid, the course provides the skills needed to save the life of a friend, family member or stranger involved in a car accident. Over the past 12 months, more than 10,000 people have completed the course and 40,000 have used the online platform.

St John WA Chief Brand and Reputation Officer, Aaron Crowther said thousands of young drivers were expected to take their first long regional drive without supervision in the coming weeks on the way to Leavers celebrations, and may be driving with their friends in the car.

“Clinically, It only takes four minutes for an unconscious road victim with no serious injury to die from a blocked airway. By training new drivers and in basic first aid principles, which include how to unblock an airway, we can strengthen our community and improve the outcomes for people injured in crashes on our roads,” Mr Crowther said.

“Click to Save has been designed for young drivers and passengers to easily learn how to respond in the event of an on-road health emergency. The course is a vital tool for new drivers, which is why we’ve made it a free online resource.”

St John WA Critical Care Paramedic, Ben Harris said Click to Save was a great resource to help improve the resilience of young drivers out on the roads.

“There is nothing more heartbreaking to see than a young person in a road accident. Having basic first aid knowledge can be the difference between life and death. As a paramedic, I am so pleased to see people taking the steps to better equip themselves with lifesaving skills. This is especially important at this time of year, before young drivers hit the road, sometimes for the first time solo,” Mr Harris said.

Western Australian Road Safety Commissioner, Adrian Warner said providing a free online tool allows for greater accessibility for those looking to take a first aid course.

“Passing your driver’s licence test is one of the most exciting moments in a young person’s life. However, it’s important that drivers are made aware of the responsibilities involved with holding a licence. Through the Click to Save initiative, St John WA is providing important training on how to respond in the event of an emergency and help lower the number of deaths or serious injuries on our roads,” Mr Warner said

“We’re hoping that all young Western Australians will take the opportunity to lead the way and arm themselves with this free vital resource, particularly ahead of this year’s leavers period,” he said.

The 2021 ‘Leavers’ celebrations officially run from Monday 22 November through to Thursday 25 November. For more information on St John WA’s Click to Save course, visit: www.clicktosave.com.au