The RYDA program is a series of practical and powerful workshops that aim to change the way young people think about road safety.

Co-ordinated with the assistance of Rotary Clubs, the program is delivered throughout Australia and New Zealand to over 50,000 high school students every year, through about 600 schools.

Close to 4000 students attended RYDA events in Leeton between 2008 and 2018 and this year will see another 500 students participating in the program.

The 2019 Leeton RYDA program will be held from February 26 to 28.

This year high school students are registered to attend from across the Riverina including those in Leeton, Narrandera, Hay, Ardlethan, Ariah Park, Griffith, Lockhart, Barellan, Hillston and Oaklands.

The event is organised and supported by the Rotary Clubs of Leeton and Leeton Central.

"RYDA targets young people as they enter a stage in their lives where they start to drive or ride in cars driven by their peers," Leeton road safety officer Steph Puntoriero said.

"Ensuring young people understand the importance of road safety as soon as they begin driving is critical to reducing youth road accidents.

"The program attempts to influence attitudes and behaviours of both drivers and passengers before they get their licence.

"We are very excited to be offering the program to local students and there has been increased interest from other areas of the Riverina, with students travelling several hours to attend our well organised event.

"The support we have received from the schools and the local communities has been phenomenal."

RYDA has been designed to target students in year 11 and 12, in consultation with road safety experts, professional bodies, government and the educational sector and includes the latest research.

It takes each student one school day to complete the program, and is now being offered throughout Australia and being recognised within the school curriculum.