The Rotary Youth Driver Awareness program.

The Rotary Youth Driver Awareness program is a targeted program focused on the delivery of practical road safety information for the most at risk young drivers and their passengers. It brings together from ALL Fleurieu schools students (200-250 approx) in year 10 and some year 11's who are new license holders or who are preparing to drive on our roads.

Planned sessions include some experiential learning (stopping distances discussed and witnessed), a powerful presentation by a local crash survivor with brain and other physical injuries, discussion on vehicle safety and management, a senior police officer to deliver a talk on road choices, a high energy session aimed at familiarizing students with the most common reasons for crashes and a interactive workshop based on alcohol, drugs and fatigue. It is delivered over two days as an excursion to a central location in Victor Harbor.

This program has been organised by the Rotary Club of Encounter Bay for the past 4 years, and run in conjunction with other Rotary Clubs, schools and services within the region.

OUTCOMES:

The program aims at improved road safety and better road choices amongst those travelling with other young people or newest to car driving. The aim is to reduce road trauma by creating an informed group of young drivers who understand the importance of informed choice when they travel on our roads as drivers or passengers.

The program is targeted specifically at young drivers (and their passengers) who at greatest risk of being involved in serious road crash immediately after they change from being a supervised learner to an independent driver.

It is a cost effective way of delivering a powerful message to regional youth. It is strongly supported by all regional schools, delivered professionally and with selected and capable presenters. Past evaluations provided by participants, teachers, and the community would suggest that this is efficient, effective and appreciated.

The program has been provided free of charge to all students by the Encounter Bay Rotary Club in partnership with Rotary clubs in Yankalilla, Strathalbyn, Victor Harbor and Goolwa. In 2021 the program was duplicated on Kangaroo Island supporting young people there.