PROGRAM SESSIONS
Program sessions include the following subjects, you may skip to a subject using the links:
Keeping your L’s and P’s:
Understanding the effect speed has on stopping distances
Aim
To enhance the Year 10 Roads and Traffic Authority video and course ‘The Physics of Car Crashes’ by supporting participant Understanding the understanding of the physical effects of mechanical, human and environmental conditions on motor vehicles’ stopping distances.
Knowledge and Skills Presented
- Increase participant’s awareness of stopping distances and vehicle traction. How they vary depending on the speed of the car, reaction times and environmental conditions eg snow, ice, rain, fog etc.
- Develop relationships and understanding between youth and the local police
- Discuss ‘normal’ reaction times, and how they are affected by environmental, social conditions, fatigue etc.
- Explain the need for regular tyre and brake maintenance.
- Knowledge of necessary vehicle separation and how it varies at speed ie safe braking distances. Discuss common hazards on rural roads.
- Highlight legal consequences of speeding and other risk taking behaviour common to this age group.
- Explain the role of the police in Road Safety and law enforcement.
Method
Police Officer highlights the consequences of making poor choices and encourages discussion of safer options.
Some NSW participants will have seen the RTA video presentation in the year 9-10 physics classes entitled ‘The Physics of Car Crashes. This session is to expand on this by asking questions on stopping distances and traction issues leading to open discussion about stopping distances, the need for vehicle control at all times, proper maintenance of breaks and tyres.
Outcome
Participants will be able to: explain the relationship between speed and stopping distance explain the basis for the 3 second following distance describe the benefits of 50 kph speed zones explain the legal consequences of speeding and other unlawful behaviour.
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Safe Celebrating and Fatal Vision
Aim
To show participants the effects of alcohol and drugs on driving and walking and the impact on the road toll.
Knowledge and Skills Presented
- Show and discuss with participants the effect of alcohol and drugs on judgment, reaction times and how they are implicated in road accidents.
- Discuss strategies for celebrating in safe ways.
- Develop strategies for good planning so that safer choices are easier
- Discuss the changing values to drug use.
- Discuss social pressure and peer pressure and how they influence behaviour.
- Discuss strategies for positive peer influence and strategies for dealing with peers who are intoxicated.
Method
This session begins with a presentation by a young woman who served a prison sentence as a result of a drink driving offence OR a local woman who lost her husband through a drink drive crash and the impact of his death on her life. She was pregnant at the time.
The remainder of the segment is a facilitated workshop using Fatal Vision Goggles which allows participants to attempt an obstacle course under simulated drink/drug effected conditions. Participants are encouraged to discuss how alcohol consumption, drug taking and mood enhancers affect response times, decision-making and self-confidence.
Outcome
Participants will be able to:
Describe the threat posed by unsafe celebrating.
Explain strategies for safe celebrating.
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It could happen to you – accidents do happen – Personal Histories
Aim
Demonstrate to participants that car crashes can happen to them and have happened to many young people just like them. This session highlights that crashes can cause death but can also cause serious injury which will effect quality of life for many years.
Knowledge and Skills Presented
- Highlight the danger of complacency on issues of Road Safety.
- Create an awareness of the scope of the issues by starkly demonstrating the tragedy and trauma of road accidents.
- Highlight that Road Safety is both an individual and social responsibility to avoid the tragedy and trauma of road accidents happening to them, their peer group or anyone they come into contact with.
- Provide an understanding of brain injury and rehabilitation processes.
Method
In this segment young crash victims who are suffering a physical or intellectual disability, induced by a road incident, volunteer their time to speak with groups about the tragic event that changed their life forever. The stories are often, and indeed are meant to be, emotionally confronting. This session demonstrates the relationship between risk taking behaviour and consequences.
Unfortunately there is no end of presenters available from various rehabilitation groups who can also find it very fulfilling and helpful to their own rehabilitation to relate their stories and hopefully help other young people avoid the tragedy they have suffered.
Outcome
Participants will be able to evaluate and discuss the ramifications of high risk driving behaviours and understand the driver’s responsibility to passengers.
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Facts on Fatigue
Aim
To create awareness of the effect fatigue (even over short distances) can have on driving and dispel myths relating to effective strategies for reducing symptoms of fatigue.
Knowledge and skills presented
- Show and discuss with participants the effect of fatigue on judgment, reaction times and how it is implicated in road accidents.
- Discuss strategies for minimising sleep deprivation, driver fatigue and micro-sleeps.
- Develop strategies for good planning so that safer choices are easier eg getting taxi vouchers etc, Discuss social pressure and peer pressure and how they influence behaviour.
- Discuss strategies for positive peer influence and strategies for dealing with peers who are fatigued.
Method
This session deals with fatigue and its major impact on the road accident statistics. The presenter gives information on how fatigue can happen on short drives as well as longer ones and supplies strategies for avoiding it. The presenter ties the segment together in showing how fatigue can compound the effect of other risk taking behaviour
Outcome
Explain strategies for avoiding fatigue. Understand the effects of driving while fatigued are similar to that of drink driving.
Explain how sleep deprivation can be easily accumulated over a weekend period.
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U-Turn the Wheel - You Choose
Aim
To encourage participants to make positive choices in their behaviour and to give an understanding of the consequences of poor choices, ie: to develop positive and safe attitudes when sharing the road with others.
Knowledge and Skills Presented
Assist participants to understand that it is their awareness of their responsibilities, their attitude and the choices they make which will make them a good and safe driver. Develop strategies to be a good passenger and for dealing with unsafe drivers when a passenger.
Method
This session can be run as an interactive theatre in which the participants play out the roles. It addresses the challenge of peer pressure and the threat to life when risk taking.
The presenter opens up discussion on the issues presented including:
- The ramifications of poor choices made by young people when celebrating and how those poor choices or similar occur at parties they attend.
- How good planning including the lessons learned in the safe celebrating and fatigue sessions and other strategies can avoid a tragic outcome.
- The responsibility they have to each other and other motorists to make good choices. How the behaviour of the passengers can impact on the driver.
- Strategies for dealing with a unsafe driver when a passenger.
Outcome
Participants will be able to:
Determine the need for a positive attitude individually and in the peer group of responsibility to each other and the broader community.
Describe the value of positive peer influence.
Describe why safe in vehicle responses are a personal responsibility.
Deduce that they ‘Turn The Wheel’, its ‘their choice’ to be a responsible driver/passenger.
Explain how the outcome of poor choices could be a car accident and/or severe emotional, legal and financial consequences.
Describe the impact passengers have on the behaviour of the driver.
Develop a set of self-protective strategies to deal with a bad driver when a passenger.
Describe strategies for rejecting negative peer pressure.
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Simple steps to saving lives
Aim
In 8% of fatal accidents in Australia research shows that lives could have been saved if basic first aid had been applied by people at the scene prior to the arrival of the ambulance. The aim of this session is to supply information and strategies about what to do to assist people injured in accidents prior to the arrival of professionals and to supply information on first aid courses available.
Knowledge and Skills Presented
Explain what the scene of a serious accident may be like. Explain the role of the ambulance service attending accidents and what problems they may face. Describe the nature of typical injuries experienced by roads accident victims and demonstrate basic emergency first aid procedures that can be undertaken prior to the arrival of medical professionals. Demonstrate first aid equipment that is recommended for carriage in vehicles. Advise details of first aid courses that are available and relevant to young adults. Explain importance of wearing seat belts and the possible consequences of not wearing one
Method
The presenter of this session should be a medical professional from services involved in road accidents such as ambulance officer or an experienced volunteer rescue association member. The officer’s presentation may include both video and practical hands on demonstrations.
Outcome
Participants will be able to:
Understand that good first aid awareness can and does save lives.
Understand some emergency first aid procedures that may be relevant at the scene of a car accident.
Appreciate the importance of carrying first aid equipment in vehicles.
Appreciate the importance of undertaking first aid courses.
Appreciate the value of the Ambulance, Police and Rescue Services.
Explain the safety reasons for compulsory wearing of seat belts.
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Purchasing a car: tips, traps and insurance
Aim
To supply information on vehicle insurance and vehicle finance so participants can better understand how vehicle insurances and finance works and how it impacts on them, their family and the lives of others.
Knowledge and Skills Presented
Discuss the different types of vehicle insurance
Show the cost of insurance.
Demonstrate the need for insurance and the ramifications of having an accident without insurance.
Supply information on how to gain insurance.
Show the ramifications of having an accident – in your own car – in someone else’s car.
Give a general understanding of obtaining car finance plus the financial and insurance consequences of a car crash.
List the various types of insurance and finance and their application.
Supply participants with strategies to purchase cars without being ‘ripped off’.
Show typical faults found on used cars, which unless fixed, effect safely driving a second hand car.
Method
An industry insurance expert experienced in education presents this session.
The presenter discusses costs in dollars, insurance and liability, insurance exclusions and the consequences of borrowing dad’s or mum’s car and then having an accident, plus accidents in their own cars. The presenter explains comprehensive insurance, third party property and third party personal insurance and discusses what to look for in a policy. The presenter also discusses the economic consequences of loss of income for short or extended periods due to injury.
Also presented will be the costs of mechanical and body repairs.
Discuss the consequences of false claims and fraud.
Outcome
Participants will be able to:
Explain how the financial burden for a family following an accident can be significant and sometimes crippling.
List the various types of insurance and finance and their application.
Explain a REVS check and why it is important.
Explain why a cheap second hand car is not always as cheap as it appears.
Recognise the need for honesty on insurance claims.
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