Tasmanian youth empowered to drive change in road safety
Published | 7 May 2024
RACT held an interactive exhibition today at MyState Bank Arena as part of National Road Safety Week to get Tasmania’s youth talking about the importance of road safety.
With young people continually overrepresented in Tasmania’s road toll, our Group Chief Executive Mark Mugnaioni said there was a clear need to educate young people on the dangers of distracted driving.
“Despite making up only 11 per cent of the Tasmanian population, young people make up 21 per cent of all deaths and serious injuries on our roads,” Mr Mugnaioni said.
“In the past six years, almost 400 young people have been killed or seriously injured. That’s 400 young people whose potential was cut short or severely impacted by road trauma.
Our Group Chief Executive Mark Mugnaioni said there was a clear need to educate young people on the dangers of distracted driving.
“We need to bring about generational change to save lives on our roads. Safer roads and drivers start with education, and that’s what we’re starting with today."
The day showcased exhibits, including our distracted driver training, demonstrating the effects of driving distracted, and under the influence of alcohol; Tasmania Police and Tasmania Fire Service; the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator with its Don’t #uck With a Truck pop up; SPEAK UP! StayChatTY and other road safety stakeholders.
Mr Mugnaioni said with an average of 67 young Tasmanians killed or seriously injured on our roads each year, it was time for a different approach.
“We need to make a stand and look at different approaches when it comes to road safety. Activities like today’s, are key to educating the next generation in recognising the risk when they get behind the wheel of a car.
“We are also about to commence a new chapter in Tasmanian road safety with work soon to commence on building a new comprehensive road safety education program for all Tasmanian secondary schools.
“We’re very excited that all major parties and key independents in the recent Tasmanian election committed to implementing RACT’s Driving for Life program.
RACT will join with other road safety stakeholders to design and deliver the comprehensive road safety education program that will:
• Engage young drivers with practical and school-based sessions from the start.
• Empower learner drivers and their families with the guidance they need.
• Support disadvantaged youth to safely gain their driving hours.
“We will never stop trying to eliminate road trauma by continuing to educate youth and bringing about generational road safety behavioural changes that can help lower the road toll our roads.”