TRAINING the young brain to be safe and not idiotic behind the wheel can only be a good thing.
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This week students from across the region were learning just that at the Rotary Driver Youth Awareness (RYDA) program.
The initiative has has been held at the Yanco Agricultural Institute for many years, organised by Leeton Shire Council and the towns two Rotary clubs.
Those involved with the event should be praised.
Too often there are stories on the news or the local newspaper about a young teenager being killed in a car accident.
Whether it was by speeding, using a mobile phone or not paying attention – all of these issues were addressed during sessions at RYDA this week.
Of course young people can be involved in accidents because adults are being idiotic and careless behind the wheel as well.
However, getting this message out to young people right at the age when they are getting their license is critical.
Out in regional areas and farming properties some may have been driving for some time and feel comfortable.
Others don’t and it can be daunting for them.
There are those who, once they get those red P-plates, are off and running so to speak.
That’s when they start to feel invincible and like nothing bad will happen to them behind the wheel.
That’s the beauty of RYDA.
Hopefully by that stage in their lives they will think back to those sessions and be careful each and every time they hop in the car.
If that happens then it’s mission achieved.
One less young life lost on the road has one hundred times the benefits.
It’s critical young people are aware how powerful a machine a car is and learn to drive in the correct manner.
Some of the RYDA sessions are confronting for the young students, but it is what works.
Of course, it probably wouldn’t hurt to introduce something similar for adults. Hands up how many motorists get in their vehicle every day and don’t really recall the drive to work every morning? Drivers should never be lax behind the wheel.
Even if doing the right thing, it’s important to be aware of others on the road as in one split second they could do something that changes our life forever.