Exploring why schools are a vital part in making road safety for young drivers a priority

Find out the important role that schools play in empowering the next generation of safe drivers through education and awareness.

Every time a young driver gets behind the wheel they face elevated risk than more experienced drivers because of their relative inexperience. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, road crashes are the leading cause of death among young people between 12 and 24 years of age in Australia with young drivers accounting for a disproportionate number of these fatalities.

Schools play an important role when it comes to academics, they also have a responsibility to make sure that students have the right knowledge, skills, and attitudes when it comes to driving. By using their platforms and resources to promote road safety for young people, schools have the opportunity to reduce these alarming statistics and save lives.

As part of a larger group of people who are often considered to be adult influencers of young people, schools and teachers have the crucial and urgent responsibility of shaping this demographic with more comprehensive road safety initiatives in their arsenal.

The important role schools play in promoting road safety for young people

As educational institutes that are entrusted with shaping young minds, schools can play an important role in improving road safety education.

Integrating road safety

Integrating road safety into the curriculum

Schools can integrate road safety education into relevant subjects including theoretical lessons on traffic rules, hazard perception, and the consequences of irresponsible driving as well as practical sessions designed to promote driving techniques. By making road safety a central part of the curriculum, schools can do their part to ensure that every student receives this critical education.

Collaborating with road safety organisations

Schools can reach out to local authorities or road safety organisations to collaborate or deliver specialised programs and campaigns to young people getting ready to start driving. These collaborations can give schools access to experts, and interactive resources, and even leverage real-world examples or scenarios to make road safety education more relatable and engaging for students.

Safety training

Creating a safer driving culture

Even outside of the classroom, schools can promote a safe driving culture with the help of various initiatives. This can include safe driving workshops, organising road safety awareness campaigns, and encouraging student-led initiatives that promote responsible driving. By making road safety a core value, students are more likely to adopt and maintain safe driving habits throughout their lives.

parents and community

Engaging parents and community

Schools need to involve parents and the broader community in these road safety efforts. This can include initiatives like hosting information sessions for parents, encouraging safe driving pledges, and even partnering with local businesses to promote the road safety message. Creating a supportive environment can help schools amplify the impact they have on fostering road safety for young drivers.

What Our Community Says About Us

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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

Slide

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

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Youthsafe: Empowering young people in Australia

Youthsafe is dedicated to promoting safety and well-being among young people whether they’re on the road, playing sports, at work, or socialising. We offer evidence-based programs and resources that cover many topics, helping to shape young people and their futures.

Our young drivers safety initiatives are designed to give young Australians and their adult influencers expert guidance on navigating different scenarios while on the road to help them face unique challenges confidently and create a safer driving experience for themselves and those around them.

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FAQs

How can schools effectively train and support teachers in delivering road safety education?

To ensure effective delivery of road safety education, schools should provide comprehensive training and support for teachers via professional development workshops, access to educational resources and lesson plans, and collaboration with road safety experts and organisations.

Schools can also establish a dedicated team or coordinator responsible for overseeing road safety initiatives.

How can schools measure the impact of their initiatives geared towards improving road safety for young drivers?

Schools can measure the impact of their road safety initiatives through various methods like pre- and post-program surveys to assess changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours among students.

Schools can also get feedback from parents, instructors, and community members to gauge the effectiveness of their initiatives.

How can schools involve students in road safety initiatives?

Schools can actively involve students in road safety initiatives by encouraging the formation of student-led road safety clubs or committees.

Schools can even invite students to participate in the planning and implementation of road safety programs so that the initiatives resonate with the target audience and address their specific concerns and needs.

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