EVERY parent’s worst nightmare is that phone call in the middle of the night saying their child has been in an accident.
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Steps were put in place this week to ensure that can be prevented among young drivers at the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) program.
RYDA is aimed at young that are in the process of getting on the roads and behind the wheel.
Held annually at Yanco Agricultural Institute, the initiative aims to equip youth with the right tools and skills to prevent an accident from occurring.
Students hear from accident survivors, learn about hazards and distractions, find out what happens after a crash and seeing first hand the impact of speeding and having to stop abruptly.
Co-ordinated by Leeton Shire Council and the town’s Rotary clubs, this year also marked a significant milestone with the 3000th student undertaking the program. Max Hatty from Yanco Agricultural High School was that student and said he had learned plenty from taking part in RYDA.
“I think it’s really good, especially in rural places where some might have been driving for some time, but now they can learn more about safety,” he said.
“I don’t think everyone’s aware of how important it is to be safe every time (you drive). I remember when I first got my L-plates and I was overtaken by a b-double … it was pretty scary, so you have to pay attention all the time.”
Hundreds of students from Leeton, Griffith, Hay, Barellan, Narrandera and more attended RYDA, which started on Tuesday and continued throughout the week.
One of the most visual and confronting workshops as part of RYDA is the safe stopping distances initiative where a highway patrol officer demonstrates what could happen if a car were to hit a person at certain speeds.
Senior constable Andrew McKelvie with the Griffith Highway Patrol warned students an accident could occur at any time. “You don’t wake up in the morning and think ‘I have to be at that intersection at 9am because that’s where a fatal accident will be’,” he said.
“It just happens and it can happen in the blink of an eye. You must always be aware of what you’re doing and your surroundings. Just look at Peter Brock … he was one of the best professional drivers and he died in a car accident.”
Council’s road safety and traffic officer Stephanie Puntoriero agreed and said now was the perfect time to be shaping the minds of the young drivers.“They are at the age where they are getting their license, so it’s important they know all of the responsibilities that come with it,” she said.
