RAA Street Smart High
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Hindmarsh
April 6-7, 2016
Street Smart High is an annual road safety education event that aims to demonstrate the devastating reality of road trauma to South Australian high school students from years 10 through to 12.
Hosted by RAA in conjunction with Event Partner the Motor Accident Commission, the event intends to reduce the state’s shocking youth road toll through providing an opportunity for students, soon-to-be learner, learner, and novice drivers to understand about driving risks and avoid situations that place themselves and others in danger.
I attended on the second and final day of this year’s event, and by all accounts it upheld the same high level of engagement, education and entertainment as the previous day (and previous years). From the pin-drop silence of the 3500+ audience as they listened to the personal stories of young people whose lives have been significantly affected by road trauma to the roof-raising cheers as students came together in a North vs South wheelchair basketball game, it was clear that the event had each students’ full attention.
A simulated crash scenario and response process re-enactment narrated by Road Trauma Specialist, Dr Bill Griggs, hit home just how easily an accident can occur and how many people can be affected by the consequences of inattentive, under the influence or dangerous driving.
During the lunch break students had the opportunity to interact with leading community, state government and industry organisations that provide programs aiming to keep young people safe – not necessarily just on the roads. Burns First Aid, Lifeline, SA Ambulance Service, Donate Life and Encounter Youth Education were just some of the organisations engaging with the students and offering support information. Students particularly enjoyed making use of the St Johns Ambulance team’s fake wound and special effects makeup as well as the RAA Streetsmart Polaroid Photobooth.
There is a genuine desire to educate, rather than lecture, the students about the many and varied risks of being a road-user and the enthusiastic participation of students is testament to the way the event is organized and run with the students in mind.
As an under 25 road-user myself, and considering that road crashes are one of the leading causes of death for young people under the age of 25, I believe the Street Smart High is an important and poignant event that should be on every school’s calendar.
For more information on the RAA’s road safety programs head to www.raa.com.au/motoring-and-road-safety.
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