Rotary driving teen road safety
EVERY day one teenager dies on Australian roads and Coast Rotary clubs are taking a stance on the shocking statistic.
More than 700 Year 11 students will attend a Rotary Youth Driver Awareness program this year.
The young Sunshine Coast learner drivers discover there is more to getting behind the wheel than stopping at traffic lights and checking mirrors.
Students from Meridan State College, Unity College, Siena Catholic College and United Synergies began the program last week at Corbould Park.
The confronting course gave the learner drivers a chance to come face-to-face with how moments of poor driving could affect the rest of their lives.
The program aims to influence the attitudes and behaviours of drivers and passengers before they get their licence and targets young driver deaths.
The one-day program is in its fourth year and covers topics such as hazard perception, stopping distances, insurance, tips for buying a car and peer pressure.
Meridan State College student Nic Anning, who recently acquired his learner's licence, said the real life documentary and talk from Senior Constable Mark Ginges put into perspective the responsibilities that came with driving a car.
"I definitely think it will make us more prepared and show us how our decisions affect not only the person but the whole family," Nic said.
Georgia Moore, 15 said she was glad to be part of the program which will see her better prepared.
"I am just about to go for my L's, so driving is now going to be a big part of my life. It is important to protect myself and also others on the road," Georgia said.
"We learned to check tyres, registration and insurance for a car and we're about to get into alcohol limits for drivers."
The nationwide program is a Rotary initiative and run locally by the Caloundra, Caloundra Pacific, Kawana Waters and Glasshouse Mountains clubs.
Students from Glasshouse Christian College and Beerwah High will complete the course later this year.
