RAC aim to keep young drivers safe
The RAC community education team was out in force last week, visiting schools and educating young drivers about safe driving.
Students from Harvey Senior High School, Australind Senior High School and the College of Agriculture Harvey were involved in learning activities and presentations about being a responsible driver and passenger.
RAC community education team presenter Natalie Wong talked to students in years 10-12 at Harvey Senior High about making good choices when on the road with her presentation, "My decision - My destination".
She gave safe driving tips and discussed the impact on individuals and communities when young people were involved in car crashes.
Short films depicting real-life cases were screened and at the end of the presentation Mrs Wong gave students a safe driving pledge certificate.
"The certificate is for students to make a pledge to be safe drivers and passengers and give it to a loved one," Mrs Wong said.
"It will remind them of their promise every time they get behind the wheel or in a car," she said.
The dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and using a mobile phone while driving were also discussed.
RAC senior manager of media and government relations Liz Carey said the community team had delivered the road safety message to more than 350,000 Year 10-12 students since 2002.
"Last year, 184 people in WA died in road crashes and 25 of those were killed in the South West district.
"In 2014, drivers aged 17 to 24 accounted for 22 per cent of all WA road fatalities despite only making up 12 per cent of the population," she said.
"These results are worrying, and reinforce the need to educate young drivers about safe driving."
