Putting Young Driver Safety First With Youthsafe
Road crashes account for 45% of all fatalities among Australian youth. From behavioural attributes to the driving environment, many factors contribute to these accidents. These factors necessitate that young driver safety interventions be comprehensive and multi-tiered—a need that Youthsafe is dedicated to fulfilling.
Want to know more about our work with young people? Send us a message.
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Why Young Drivers’ Safety Needs Our Attention
The statistics surrounding young drivers are alarming. Almost 50% of all hospitalisations of young Australians are drivers, and another 25% are passengers.
Additionally, a 17-25 year-old P1 licence holder is four times more likely to be the victim of a fatal car crash than a driver over the age of 26.
These figures are shocking, and experts reveal that speeding, distraction, driving under the influence, and fatigue are the leading causes for young Australians to be involved in serious road crashes. Other factors that put young drivers at risk include driving without a seat belt or riding a motorbike without a helmet.
All these are often due to a lack of experience, immaturity and lifestyle choices that, when combined, create a far riskier scenario for young drivers.
At Youthsafe, we believe in a holistic approach where novice drivers, parents, driving instructors and teachers work together to ensure that young drivers get the support and guidance they need to learn safe driving skills and stay safer on the road.
Youthsafe Programs For Young Driver Safety
Young road users need to understand the responsibility that they shoulder every time they enter a vehicle. Novice drivers and passengers rarely understand the gravity of this, making road safety programs, resources, and interventions that much more important.
For many young people, driving is their first taste of adult independence, which can sometimes overshadow the need to pay attention to important road safety rules such as keeping to the speed limit, driving sober/drug-free, and avoiding distractions like texting and other passengers.
To ensure that young drivers and passengers know their responsibilities and have the right tools, Youthsafe is running several programs teaching key areas of young drivers’ safety
Programs for Young Learner Drivers
Safer Steps to Solo Driving
This online course - which can be done at the convenience of users - is designed to help young learner drivers and their adult supervising drivers better prepare for the Red P Plate stage of solo driving: the most hazardous time in any driver’s life.
It builds effective learning rapport between learner and supervisor and invites mindful planning and commitment to more safety transition to solo driving.
Programs For Teachers & Instructors
Safer Drivers Course
A paid course aimed at providing facilitator and coach training for the Safer Drivers Course.
Those interested in becoming a coach or facilitator of this program will first be required to complete and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form and meet all Youthsafe’s program participation requirements.
Classroom Safety Sessions
Interactive 40-60 minute classroom sessions for various ages.
These road safety sessions explore the challenges teen drivers face, the responsibilities of being a passenger of a teen driver, and the impact of distractions when driving, making it ideal for pre-learner and learner drivers and their passengers.
Programs For Community Organisations
Volunteer Learner Driver Mentor (LDMP) Training
Face-to-face training or online training for groups of volunteer driver mentors is conducted at your convenience.
Our paid, full-day face-to-face training for groups of up to 15 volunteer mentors can be conducted in any part of the state as an interactive workshop, or you can choose our award-winning, six-part free online training.
Supporting Young People to Get a Licence
This program is typically delivered as a project with a set number of young people.
The project provides access to group driver safety training and one-on-one mentoring sessions, Youthsafe’s young driver safety resources, professional driving instruction and some financial reimbursements for licensing costs.
Driver Licensing Access Program (DLAP)
This is a state-wide program of Transport for NSW to help people (of any age) who have difficulty getting their driver licence.
We provide the DLAP services that enable eligible persons living in the Local Government Areas of Hornsby, Ku-ring-gai, Hawkesbury, Ryde, Campbelltown and Sydney City to acquire a Learner licence or get their Red P licence.
Programs For Parents
Teen Safe Driving Workshops
The workshop is an opportunity for parents and their pre-learner or learner driver to work together in tackling the challenges of securing the minimum 120 logbook hours required before taking the driving test.
It also provides tips on ways to prepare for the first months of solo driving in the P1 Red licence period.
Ls to Ps: Teaching Aussie Teens to Drive eBook: A practical guide to teen safe driving
Written, practical advice that lends a helping hand to parents and learners alike.
It contains useful advice about teaching the more challenging aspects of manoeuvring a car as well as useful tips for establishing and maintaining a great ‘working’ relationship for effective teaching and learning.
Learner Driver Resources
Youthsafe Resources
Infographics
Useful infographics, including youth injury facts and tips to keep young people safe.
Tips
Ideas for parents to consider to get the best outcome for themselves and their young drivers.
Youthsafe Resources
Road User’s Handbook
Covers the main road rules and requirements for driving on NSW roads.
Road Rules
Pre-learners, learners and experienced drivers need to have a clear understanding of current road rules.
What Our Community Says About Us
Research from NSW indicates that 15- to 25-year-olds have a 75 per cent greater chance of being injured at work
SAFEWORK NSW 2017
Research from NSW indicates that 15- to 25-year-olds have a 75 per cent greater chance of being injured at work
SAFEWORK NSW 2017
Research from NSW indicates that 15- to 25-year-olds have a 75 per cent greater chance of being injured at work
SAFEWORK NSW 2017
Our Partners
Invest in the safety of young Australian drivers by working with Youthsafe—a trusted partner that has worked with governments, businesses, and community organisations to prevent young Australians from suffering avoidable road accidents through highly responsive programs.
FAQs
Have more questions about the services that Youthsafe offers to protect young drivers and passengers?
See if we’ve answered your questions below.
No. At Youthsafe, one of our beliefs is that young drivers need support before and after they start driving. This is why we’re offering programs to teachers and instructors, parents, and community organisations to provide the best support for the next generation of drivers and build a road-use safety culture.
Plus, a few of our programs are aimed at people of many ages so that anyone can get the support they need to get their driver licence.
Yes. Our interactive road safety sessions for high school students give practical strategies for Year 10 & 11 students for safer driving. This 50-minute session helps students identify and navigate the road safety risks they face as young drivers and passengers and is aligned with the NSW PDHPE & Life Ready Syllabus.
You can learn more about it or express your interest in our 2024 sessions here.
Useful resources
SIGNUP FOR OUR
NEWSLETTER
TEL: (02) 9817 7847
EMAIL: office@youthsafe.org
Youthsafe, PO Box 1074, Ryde NSW 1680
SIGNUP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER
TEL: (02) 9817 7847
EMAIL: office@youthsafe.org
Youthsafe, PO Box 1074, Ryde NSW 1680
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© 2025 Youthsafe | All rights reserved | Web Design & Development by Hype Insight