A hard-hitting but realistic presentation about road safety delivered important messages to Year 11 students this term.
The Road Awareness Program (RAP) is a campaign by the Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) aimed at improving attitudes and decision-making on the road.
The presentation identifies the dangers of excessive speed, distraction and driving under the influence.
It also includes powerful first-hand accounts from people with lived experience of road trauma.
Jarrad Stallard is a senior firefighter for the MFS and has been presenting the RAP for the past seven years.
“The Road Awareness Program is designed to encourage young drivers to take care and look after each other on the roads,” Mr Stallard said.
“We pride ourselves on mateship in Australia but we’re not doing a very good job when we lose four of them a day on our roads.
“We’re out here today in the region to try to tell people to start looking after each other and make a difference.”
Program reaches at-risk young drivers
The RAP program reaches about 90 per cent of South Australian Year 11 students as well as community groups.
“Sixteen-to-24-year-olds make up around 13 percent of the population but count for about 30 per cent of deaths on our road, so they are overrepresented and that’s why we’re here.”
Guest speaker Michael Holbrook spoke to students about his experience after the death of his son Nicholas in a road crash.
He said it was a privilege to be part of a program that has such a big impact.
“When I’m up there speaking and I’m looking into those kids’ eyes, I can see that there is a reaction there,” he said.
“There is no greater reward than when you have a young man come up to you after a presentation, shake your hand, and say thank you.”
Year 11 student Dylan said while the presentation was confronting, it was an important reminder to be responsible on the roads.
“The story about Michael’s son really brought home the impact of accidents on the road and makes me want to be a better driver,” he said.
Year 11 student Lachlan said it was a presentation he would always remember.
“The overall message was just to be safe, to look out for your mates, look out for your family on the roads,” he said.
“It’s a hard presentation to watch but I think it’s important for people to see it.”
